Daniel Farke saw his Leeds United side produce a superb second-half turnaround as they came from two goals down to beat Liverpool 4-2 at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday.
Liverpool dominated the opening half and deservedly went into the break 2-0 up thanks to goals from Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz, while Leeds struggled to impose themselves on the game.
It was a completely different story after half-time. Farke’s side came out with renewed energy and intensity, producing an excellent comeback as Brenden Aaronson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff all got on the scoresheet in an impressive victory over the Premier League champions.
The performance after the break will leave Farke with plenty to be encouraged by. With more new signings still expected before the transfer window closes, there is every reason for Leeds fans to feel increasingly optimistic about the season ahead.
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson slams Leeds United
Leeds produced a scintillating second-half performance to expose and beat Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool. However, a Reds legend found a reason to moan.
Phil Thompson was not impressed that the Leeds players kept their Liverpool counterparts waiting before the second half could commence at Soldier Field.
However, he conceded that Liverpool’s intensity dropped and they were too slow in possession, which contributed to Leeds’ comeback in the second half.
Thompson said on LFC TV: “Leeds kept Liverpool waiting at the start of the second half. It must have been 5 minutes, maybe 8 minutes, before Leeds came out.
“I think Daniel Farke must have been getting stuck into his players, maybe saying they are giving Liverpool too much respect. I don’t know what was going on.
“But they kept Liverpool waiting ages, probably too long, and that hurt Liverpool and reflected in how they started the second half.
“Look, I always say it, 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline in football, and even before the goals came, the intensity had dropped.
“The players started to be slow in possession, and then they got really sloppy, and Leeds punished us for it.”
Leeds United can only improve from here
Daniel Farke’s side have looked solid during pre-season despite missing a few players, and the club are still looking to complete the bulk of their transfer market.
The Leeds boss only has Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic as his new signings in the squad at the moment. Leeds are still working on a deal to sign James Trafford and are in the market for a striker, an attacking midfielder and a back-up left-back.
With more additions, Leeds will only get better from here and should have a solid base to improve on their 14th-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Scouters always have something to whinge about. No surprise there. It’s a friendly for gods sake.