Wankel Liverpool sees 2-0 lead evaporate as Gravenberch returns

Under the bright lights of Chicago, the Premier League Summer Series match began with the Reds pressing forward, and within seven minutes Liverpool seized a 2-0 advantage. The early surge sparked hope for a dominant performance, but the atmosphere soon turned tense as the lead began to unravel.

Vandaag, at 00:10, the club’s unbeaten run under manager Andoni Iraola was broken. The Wankel Liverpool side could not hold onto the cushion they had built against Leeds United, and the two‑goal margin slipped away in the second half.

Jeremie Frimpong started on the left, delivering an assist that set up the opening goal. Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner was met by Milos Kerkez, whose header found Luke Chambers, who slotted the ball home to make it 1-0.

Five minutes before the break, Frimpong again provided the decisive pass, this time to Florian Wirtz. The German striker took the ball cleanly and finished, doubling Liverpool’s lead to 2-0 before halftime.

Ryan Gravenberch, making his first minutes since the WK, entered the fray early in the second half after a period on the bench. His arrival coincided with a loss of control for Liverpool, and Branden Aaronson capitalised for Leeds, pulling one back.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, from a corner, equalised for Leeds, and within two minutes Sean Longstaff struck again, giving the visitors a 3-2 lead. The rapid swing left Liverpool reeling as the match momentum shifted.

Later, Calvert-Lewin, returning from injury, headed home his second of the night, extending Leeds’ lead to 4-2 in the 85th minute. The goal sealed the defeat for Liverpool and handed Leeds the Premier League Summer Series title.

The final table saw Leeds United finish first, Liverpool second, with Wrexham and Sunderland trailing. Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk were not selected for the match, underscoring the squad changes during the tournament.