Liverpool’s pre-season tour sees Nyoni shine...

By Daniel Forsythe — 3 August 2026 — 4 min read

Liverpool’s US tour concludes

Liverpool recently concluded a two-week, three-match pre-season tour in the United States, with the squad returning to the UK on Monday morning. Head coach Andoni Iraola, who joined the club this summer, led the team through friendlies in Nashville, New York, and Chicago, playing before over 115,000 supporters. The tour provided Iraola with insights into the club’s scale and the impact he has had since succeeding Arne Slot.

The team secured victories against Sunderland and Wrexham, but experienced a 4-2 defeat to Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. Iraola described the loss as “not the result we wanted but probably the most useful friendly we played,” highlighting lessons learned from both the positive first half and the challenging second half. With the opening Premier League match against Newcastle United less than three weeks away, preparations continue on the training field and in the transfer market.

Emerging talents and key players

Among the standout performers during the tour was 19-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni, who was noted as Liverpool‘s player of the tour. Nyoni’s performances across the three matches strengthened his case for remaining with the first team this season rather than being loaned out. His development could offer a significant boost to the team’s midfield, with his ability to win possession and maintain an attacking presence.

Nyoni’s first-half display against Leeds showcased his improved physicality and game reading, including a precise cross for Jeremie Frimpong that contributed to Liverpool‘s second goal. Iraola has praised Nyoni’s contributions during the trip. Another young talent, Rio Ngumoha, also impressed. Despite interest from Bayern Munich, Liverpool maintained that the teenage winger was not for sale. Ngumoha’s breakthrough campaign in 2025-26 positioned him for further advancement, and his performances on the tour, including a decisive strike against Wrexham, reinforced his potential.

Dominik Szoboszlai, having signed a new five-year contract, stepped into a leadership role during the tour in the absence of several key players. With captain Virgil van Dijk and others on post-World Cup breaks, Szoboszlai served as stand-in skipper. He participated in all three games, demonstrating fitness and sharpness, and scored in the win over Sunderland. Szoboszlai noted that the team learned a lot from the tour, particularly regarding set-piece defence.

Defender Luke Chambers, 22, was deployed at centre-back in all three matches due to defensive absences. Chambers, who has been with the club’s academy since age six, scored the opening goal against Leeds. His versatility across defensive positions and his efforts have given Iraola reason to consider keeping him at the club, despite initial plans for a loan spell. Conor Bradley and Freddie Woodman also took part in a sightseeing tour of Chicago during the team’s time in the United States, visiting locations such as Mr. Beef and sites from The Dark Knight.

Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni on the ball against Leeds United in Chicago on Sunday Credit: nytimes.com

Injury setbacks and defensive concerns

The tour also brought challenges, particularly concerning injuries and defensive depth. Joe Gomez, Liverpool‘s longest-serving player, suffered a muscle injury less than 10 minutes into the opening game against Sunderland. This setback is expected to keep him out for approximately a month, adding to a history of injuries throughout his 11-year tenure at Anfield. His absence highlights concerns about the team’s senior centre-back options.

French defender Jeremy Jacquet, acquired from Rennes, did not feature in the matches due to fitness concerns, having not played since February. Other players such as Victor Munoz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Alisson were also absent from the tour while on post-World Cup breaks. Additionally, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, and Stefan Bajcetic were unavailable due to ongoing rehabilitation or fitness issues, further impacting squad depth during the pre-season fixtures.

The 4-2 defeat to Leeds United, where Liverpool surrendered a two-goal half-time lead, underscored defensive vulnerabilities. Iraola noted that the team conceded two goals from set pieces, emphasizing the need for improved defensive organisation. The team’s midfield control and attacking thrust also diminished in the second half against Leeds after key players like Ngumoha, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Nyoni were substituted at the break.

The pre-season tour has provided Andoni Iraola with valuable insights as Liverpool prepares for the upcoming 2026-27 season.