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Liverpool boss downplays Frimpong injury concern after Reds’ pre-season defeat to Leeds
03rd August, 2026 12:38 PM
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was hopeful that Jeremie Frimpong had avoided injury during their 4-2 pre-season defeat by Leeds United in Chicago on Sunday after the defender asked to be substituted midway through the second half.
Liverpool cannot afford to lose the 25-year-old with the club already suffering several injury setbacks ahead of the new Premier League season.
Defender Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of the campaign after suffering a muscle injury in their win over Sunderland, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined as they continue to recover from injuries.
Asked for a change
“Jeremie asked for the sub, but I don’t think it’s an injury,” Iraola told Liverpool media after the game.
“It was just some overload, and I hope he’s not injured in that way. I don’t think we’ve lost anyone.”
Spaniard Iraola, who joined Liverpool in June after Dutchman Arne Slot was sacked, said the match had provided valuable lessons as they concluded their U.S. tour.
“Obviously it’s not the result you want but I think it was probably the most useful friendly we played – in a positive way in the first half and in a negative way in the second half,” he added.
“We’ve learned a lot from today and I think we can take good conclusions and solve some things.”
First outing
Iraola enjoyed a successful first outing as Liverpool head coach after watching his side recover from behind to defeat Sunderland 4-2 in the opening match of their pre-season tour in the United States on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Reds made a bright start and took the lead after 13 minutes through academy midfielder Kieran Morrison,
Sunderland hit back after Frimpong surrendered possession in a dangerous area, enabling Tuterov to race through and calmly finish.
Dominik Szoboszlai restored parity with a spectacular volley after Lewis Koumas and Milos Kerkez combined well down the left flank. Sunderland only partially cleared the danger, allowing the Hungarian midfielder to fire an unstoppable effort into the net.
The Reds completed the turnaround midway through the second half. Calvin Ramsay slipped a pass into Federico Chiesa, who squeezed his finish past the advancing goalkeeper from a narrow angle to put Liverpool ahead.
Koumas then sealed the victory five minutes from time after Sunderland gifted possession away.
