ReactionDominik Szoboszlai on USA tour, lessons for Liverpool and being ready for 2026-27

The Reds concluded their pre-season stay in the States on Sunday with a 4-2 defeat against Leeds United at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

That game came after Andoni Iraola’s side had beaten Sunderland and Wrexham in prior fixtures held in Nashville and New York respectively.

Liverpool flew back to Merseyside on Sunday evening and will maintain work towards the Premier League start at Newcastle United on August 23.

They will link up at home with Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk, while fellow World Cup participants Alisson Becker, Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz are soon set to return too.

Post-match in Chicago, we spoke to Szoboszlai and got his assessment on how the Reds are placed as the new campaign nears. Read the Q&A below.

On it being ‘a game of two halves’ against Leeds…

I think we should speak in general about the two weeks [in the USA]. We got to know each other more and more. A couple of players came later, a couple of the guys were not even here. We got to know the manager, his staff. So, I think it was a good two weeks, with two wins and one loss. We learned a lot and we just keep on going.

On there being positive signs to carry forward…

You always have to look on the positive side, even if it’s negative a little bit. I know today wasn’t the best game we played since the manager came. Obviously, we have played only three games. I think in the first half we controlled the whole game, leading 2-0. At the end, losing 4-2 – we just move on.

On pre-season being a time to iron out mistakes…

Exactly. Now, we know we conceded two goals from set-pieces. We have to take care more at them. Obviously, last season was a season as well where everything started to be really important – corners, long throw-ins – so we really have to take care of it, because I think the next season is going to be the same like last season.

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On what Liverpool can learn from the second half against Leeds…

As I say, set-pieces – everybody has to do their job and then we’re not going to concede. Actually, easy as that. We are also human beings, we are going to make mistakes. But from there on, we have to react. I think the reaction is the most important [thing] right now. We’re going to have more games before the season starts, that’s what we have to focus on now.

On the head coach appreciating flexibility in players…

Last season I managed to play a lot of positions. Let’s see. Hopefully he will put me in the midfield but if he needs me at right-back, happy to do that!

On how he feels fitness-wise ahead of the new season…

I had a long holiday – unfortunately, the longest in my whole career. So, now I’m happy to be back, happy to work again. Just getting ready now and hopefully in the first game of the season I’m going to be even more at the top.

On pre-season being a learning experience for the younger players…

Also for the young guys, it was important to be with us. Some of them it was the first time. Everybody was great, everybody enjoyed it. Everybody had their minutes. Right now, we go back to Liverpool – Macca is coming back, Virgil is obviously going to be there and Ali as well. The whole squad is going to be ready to compete again.

• Iraola reaction: Defeat by Leeds in Chicago, Frimpong fitness and tour reflections