The Premier League took over Chicago on Sunday night as Liverpool and Leeds played out a six-goal thriller in a pre-season friendly at Soldier Field. In a game of two halves, the Reds were 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz.
The second goal owed a lot to Trey Nyoni with the youngster impressing in midfield once again. He picked out Jeremie Frimpong with a brilliant pass out wide and the Dutchman’s cut-back found Wirtz, who made no mistake from close range. The German and Alexander Isak both came through 45 minutes unscathed on their first outings of the summer after their late returns following exploits at this summer’s World Cup.
However, Leeds hit back with four unanswered goals in the second half with Brenden Aaronson and Sean Longstaff adding to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s brace as their set-piece prowess proved too much for Liverpool to handle as Daniel Farke’s side ran out 4-2 winners. Follow Liverpool vs Leeds back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog.
Liverpool vs Leeds latest news
- GOAL! Calvert-Lewin adds a fourth for Leeds
- GOAL! Longstaff completes turnaround
- GOAL! Calvert-Lewin equalises for Leeds
- GOAL! Aaronson gives Leeds hope after Kerkez error
- GOAL! Wirtz scores to round off flowing move
- GOAL! Chambers gives Liverpool an early lead
Liverpool suffer second half collapse
23:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Florian Wirtz marked his return to action for Liverpool with a goal in their pre-season friendly defeat to Leeds United.
The Germany international was handed a first start of the summer - along with Alexander Isak - by new Reds head coach Andoni Iraola after reporting for pre-season late because of his exploits at World Cup 2026.
Ahead of kick-off it was revealed that Wirtz was to planned to play 45 minutes and he made the most of his time at Soldier Field, doubling Liverpool’s lead shortly before half-time as he put away Jeremie Frimpong’s cross.
The goal, though, owed a lot to Trey Nyoni with the youngster impressing in midfield once again. He picked out Frimpong with a brilliant pass out wide and the Dutchman’s cut-back found Wirtz, who made no mistake from close range.
Liverpool 2-4 Leeds
23:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
🤩 "Calvert-Lewin makes it FOUR!" pic.twitter.com/mEEi882OWi
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 2, 2026
FULL-TIME!
23:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Liverpool 2-4 Leeds
Who saw that coming at half-time?
Liverpool 2-4 Leeds
23:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+4 min: Liverpool haven’t really looked like scoring in this second half. That may concern Iraola, especially with Gravenberch, Jones, Chiesa and Elliott all on the pitch.
Liverpool 2-4 Leeds
23:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90 min: SIX minutes of stoppage time. Can Liverpool find a goal to set up a grandstand finish?
Liverpool 2-4 Leeds
23:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
86 min: Decent chance for Koumas as he tries to lob Cairns but he gets a bit too much on the attempt. Time running out for Liverpool to find two goals to earn a draw.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-4 Leeds | Dominic Calvert-Lewin ‘85
23:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
85 min: CALVERT-LEWIN AT THE DOUBLE!
It’s a repeat of Leeds’ equaliser as Dominic Calvert-Lewin gets to the ball before Curtis Jones to turn home Ethan Ampadu’s long throw.
Liverpool 2-3 Leeds
22:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
83 min: Gnoto and Lienou replace Bogle and Justin for Leeds, as Wilson takes a corner which is headed away by Ndiaye.
Liverpool 2-3 Leeds
22:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
81 min: Liverpool stepping on the gas in search of an equaliser. Two corners won in quick succession, though they are yet to seriously test Cairns in the Leeds goal as the latest set-piece comes to nothing.
Liverpool 2-3 Leeds
22:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
80 min: Jones, wearing the Liverpool captain’s armband, wins a corner and the ball eventually falls to Gravenberch but he drags a shot wide. Not the cleanest of strikes from the Dutchman.
Liverpool 2-3 Leeds
22:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
78 min: Really poor play from Jones as he underhits a pass to Ndukwe and that creates a gap for Wilson to exploit but the Leeds midfielder can’t pick out the run of Calvert-Lewin.
Liverpool 2-3 Leeds
22:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
76 min: Latest Liverpool change sees Scanlon replace Frimpong.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-3 Leeds | Sean Longstaff ‘73
22:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
73 min: COMEBACK COMPLETE!
Brenden Aaronson gets a bit fortunate that his cut-back finds Sean Longstaff as Curtis Jones fails to clear his lines and the ball bobbles over the line.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-2 Leeds | Dominic Calvert-Lewin ‘71
22:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
71 min: LEEDS EQUALISE!
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is left all alone at the back post for a simple tap-in as Joe Rodon flicks on Ethan Ampadu’s long throw.
Liverpool 2-1 Leeds
22:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
70 min: First involvement for Ndiaye is to be alert to a cross into the box from James. It’s a good clearance but the Leeds defender should do much better.
Liverpool 2-1 Leeds
22:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
69 min: LIVERPOOL CHANGES!
ON: Ramsay, Ndiaye, Tsimikas and Elliott
OFF: Chambers, Szoboszlai, Tsimikas and Morrison
Liverpool 2-1 Leeds
22:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
67 min: Morrison showing both sides of his game as he gets back to stop Calvert-Lewin from having a shot at goal from close range. Leeds, by far the better team right now, you sense an equaliser more so than Liverpool scoring again.
Liverpool 2-1 Leeds
22:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
65 min: Liverpool threaten, for what feels like the first time in the second half, but Chiesa’s header at the near post is blocked by a combination of Leeds defenders. Morrison’s teasing cross is then claimed by Cairns.
Liverpool 2-1 Leeds
22:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
63 min: In truth, the goal is exactly what Leeds deserve as they have started the second half really positively, putting Liverpool under pressure. The introduction of Calvert-Lewin has certainly made a difference.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Leeds | Brenden Aaronson ‘60
22:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
60 min: GAME ON!
Milos Kerkez has his pocket picked in a dangerous area, Ethan Amapdu pounces and tees up Brenden Aaronson for a fine finish.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
22:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
58 min: Daniel Farke must be pulling his hair out on the touchline. The final pass from his Leeds players has been so poor at the start of the second half, James the latest culprit as he balloons the ball out of play.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
22:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
56 min: Wilson, on at half-time, sends in a decent free-kick and Calvert-Lewin wins the header but can’t guide his effort towards goal. Instead, the ball goes out...for a throw-in. Bizarre.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
22:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
54 min: Really good play from Calvert-Lewin as his first touch gets him away from Ndukwe but his finish lets him down. Not sure if that was a cross or a shot from the Leeds striker.
Poor execution either way.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
22:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
51 min: Good goalkeeping from Mamardashvili as he comes off his line to deal with Ampadu’s long throw. That is the definition of commanding one’s box.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
22:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
49 min: Confirmation of those Liverpool changes.
Shame to see Nyoni go off so early.
46’ - Four half-time changes:
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2026
➡️ Chiesa, Jones, Gravenberch, Koumas
⬅️ Wirtz, Isak, Nyoni, Ngumoha
[2-0]
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
22:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
48 min: James comes forward and takes a shot from distance, but Mamardashvili had that covered. Decent start to the half from Leeds.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
22:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
47 min: A bit of a waste that from Leeds, Longstaff’s delivery is far too deep and the ball rolls out if play.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
22:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
46 min: Longstaff and Calvert-Lewin are on for Leeds at the break.
A very different test for Liverpool’s central defensive pairing of Chambers and Ndukwe for the second half and the latter concedes a free-kick in a dangerous area.
KICK-OFF!
22:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Back underway in Chicago!
A host of changes for Liverpool. As expected, Wirtz and Isak have gone off, Gravenberch has come on.
Liverpool vs Leeds highlights
22:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
A superb team goal from Liverpool.
Iraola-ball at its finest?
The build-up and finish 💫
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2026
Liverpool vs Leeds highlights
22:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Luke Chambers was in the right place at the right time to open the scoring.
Chambers strikes in Chicago 🎯
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 2, 2026
Fan reaction: Wirtz prediction
22:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Wirtz will be Premier League player of the season 2027
— Don (@Opresii) August 2, 2026
Fan thoughts: More Nyoni praise
22:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Graverberch can’t put Nyoni on the bench anymore .
— BAMZ (@Lfcbami3) August 2, 2026
I’m so sorry .
Fan reaction: Nyoni impressing
22:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Trey Nyoni ⭐
— Max LFC 🔴 (@Max8LFC) August 2, 2026
HALF-TIME
21:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
Goals from Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz give Liverpool and two-goal lead at the break.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
21:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45+4 min: Leeds with the last chance of the first half with a corner but Ndukwe heads the ball away and then Frimpong completes the clearance.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
21:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45+2 min: Szoboszlai whips a teasing cross to the back post where Kerkez comes steaming in, he gets up ahead of Bogle but can’t keep his header down.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
21:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45+1 min: Stach is afforded far too much room and he lets fly from about 25 yards out and Mamardashvili is forced to make a routine save, pushing the ball away from goal.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
21:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45 min: Into four minutes of stoppage time.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
43 min: Good news for Leeds fans, Ampadu is back on the pitch and gets away with a mis-timed clearance inside his own box.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds
21:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
41 min: Another injury concern for Leeds as captain Ampadu is down requiring treatment after colliding with his own team-mate in trying to stop Wirtz from scoring.
He is back to his feet, which is a good sign.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Leeds | Florian Wirtz ‘40
21:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
40 min: WHAT A GOAL!
Superb play by Liverpool, Trey Nyoni with a fine switch of play to Jeremie Frimpong and he picks out Florian Wirtz in the middle and he makes no mistake from close range.
Liverpool 1-0 Leeds
21:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
38 min: Electric wing play by Ngumoha but no Liverpool player gambled in the middle as his ball rolls across the face of goal. Reds are able to retain possession, though Leeds are back into their shape.
Liverpool 1-0 Leeds
21:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
36 min: Now Leeds have a corner as James skips past a challenge from Nyoni, slips in Bogle who wins a set-piece off Kerkez. Bornauw’s first touch is to meet the delivery but his header hits his own team-mate Ampadu and goes out for a goal kick.
Liverpool 1-0 Leeds
21:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
35 min: Here comes the Leeds change as Bornauw replaces Gudmundsson. His first task is to help defend this Liverpool free-kick but Szoboszlai’s delivery is well dealt with.
Liverpool 1-0 Leeds
21:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
33 min: Double trouble for Leeds. Firstly, Gudmundsson has pulled up with looks to be a muscle injury, he has gone down in the area as Leeds prepare to face another Liverpool set-piece.
Bornauw is ready to come on.
Liverpool 1-0 Leeds
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
31 min: Nice idea from Liverpool as they pour forward with numbers. Wirtz finds Szoboszlai who then tries to do the same for Isak, but the pass is cut out,
Liverpool 1-0 Leeds
21:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
29 min: How sharp does Rodon look for Leeds? Another fine tackle from the defender, this time to deny Ngumoha, who was through on goal following a pass from Wirtz.
Liverpool 1-0 Leeds
21:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
26 min: CLOSE!
Nmecha does really well to find a yard of space and lets fly from just outside the box and fires an effort just wide of the far post.
At the other end, Rodon produces a fine tackle to stop Isak bearing down on goal.
Liverpool 1-0 Leeds
21:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
25 min: Brilliant run from Frimpong which prompts Tanaka to halt his progression and take a yellow card for his efforts. A bit harsh given both players had a hold of each other’s shirts.
