Liverpool transfer need proven again as Florian Wirtz shows promise - 5 talking points vs Leeds
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This is what we spotted with plenty of first-half positives.Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Leeds.(Image: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)Andoni Iraola suffered his first defeat as Liverpool head coach as his side let a two-goal lead slip against Leeds in Chicago.Liverpool moved in front in the contest after just seven minutes when Luke Chambers slammed the ball home from close range after a corner was flicked on by Milos Kerkez. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz returnAlexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were both making their first appearances under Andoni Iraola and it was evident that they were very much operating as a pair.Both looked sharp in the 45 minutes that they played, and they worked in tandem to press relentlessly, pushing up together to put the pressure on the Leeds backline.There were some nice touches — though the pretty awful state of the turf didn't help — but nothing that major to write home about in terms of chances created or shots taken.For a starting point in pre-season, though, it was a decent enough beginning.
They will both be in the starting XI, assuming they are fit, when Liverpool takes to the field at St James' Park in three weeks.Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong show promiseOne key element of Iraola's Bournemouth team was the flying full-backs. At the very least, he should be considered a regular option off the bench when the real stuff starts — and maybe more.Luke Chambers strongDefensive duo Chambers and Ifeanyi Ndukwe have both impressed so far this summer at center-back, even though the former would rather play at left-back.Facing their biggest challenge to date — a Leeds attack with plenty of pace and experience — the young duo certainly didn't look out of place when they had full energy levels, with Chambers even getting his name on the scoresheet.There are things to work on — positioning at times, and sometimes challenges in the air — but that is only natural.
They are only young, and that extra physicality will come.For now, the only real drawback looking ahead to the new season is that Ndukwe doesn't have a work permit and Chambers is left-footed, when Liverpool needs someone on the right. Isak looked sharp, but he can't play every minute, and there was a huge difference when Federico Chiesa took his place.This, though, was another step in the right direction on the field in the first half, at least.