Dominik Szoboszlai Assesses Liverpool USA Tour as Andoni Iraola’s Side Build Towards New Season

Dominik Szoboszlai has offered a clear-eyed assessment of Liverpool’s pre-season work in the United States when speaking to liverpoolfc.com, describing the trip as “a good two weeks” as Andoni Iraola continues to shape his squad ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Liverpool wrapped up their USA tour with a 4-2 defeat to Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago, a result that followed earlier wins over Sunderland and Wrexham. While the final outing brought issues into focus, particularly from set-pieces, the overriding feeling from inside the camp appears to be one of progress, adaptation and preparation.

Szoboszlai’s verdict reflected that wider picture. “We got to know each other more and more,” he said. “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.”

USA tour gives Iraola valuable early insight

For Liverpool, this summer has been about more than results. Iraola is still embedding ideas, assessing relationships across the squad and dealing with a staggered return of senior players. That context matters when judging both performances and output.

Szoboszlai acknowledged that the Leeds game exposed shortcomings, but his reading of the tour remained balanced. “You always have to look on the positive side, even if it’s negative a little bit,” he said. “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.”

That line captures where Liverpool are at this stage. There have been promising spells, there has been visible experimentation, and there have also been reminders that time on the training pitch is still needed before the Premier League opener away at Newcastle United on August 23.

Set-pieces emerge as major Liverpool concern

If one theme stood out from Szoboszlai’s post-match comments, it was Liverpool’s vulnerability from dead-ball situations. The midfielder did not avoid the issue, instead making it the central lesson from Chicago.

“Now, we know we conceded two goals from set-pieces. We have to take care more at them,” he said. “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.”

That is likely to be one of Iraola’s priorities over the next phase of pre-season. Margins remain fine at the top end of English football, and Liverpool know that organisation at corners, throw-ins and second balls can decide matches. Szoboszlai simplified the issue further when discussing what can be learned 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.”

He added, “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.”

Szoboszlai ready to adapt for Liverpool role

One of the more interesting themes around Liverpool under Iraola will be player flexibility, and Szoboszlai made it clear he is ready to contribute wherever required. “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!”

That attitude will be welcomed by the coaching staff, particularly in a period when parts of the squad are still filtering back. Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo are due to link up with the group on Merseyside, while Alisson Becker, Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz are also expected back soon.

Pre-season progress builds towards Newcastle opener

Szoboszlai also spoke candidly about his own physical condition after an extended summer break. “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.”

He also pointed to the value of the trip for younger members of the group, many of whom were exposed to senior pre-season demands for the first time. “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.”

With Liverpool now back on home soil, the next objective is clear. Standards must sharpen, returning internationals must be integrated and the tactical work must continue. As Szoboszlai put it, “The whole squad is going to be ready to compete again.”