Leeds United squad fitness tested as Liverpool clash follows 'many double sessions'
Leeds United round off their pre-season tour of the US against Liverpool on Sunday.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke was delighted by his side’s defensive performance against Sunderland - but warned Liverpool on Sunday will be the toughest pre-season test yet.
Leeds enjoyed their first win of the summer overnight, a 1-0 victory over Premier League rivals Sunderland coming via Lukas Nmecha’s early long-distance strike. Both sides were a little disjointed in the final third but the Black Cats were also met with a stern rear-guard action led by new signing Tarik Muharemovic.
Farke reserved huge praise for Muharemovic, insisting ‘the sky is the limit’ for Leeds’ £34million centre-back. Captain for the day Joe Rodon and the returning Sebastiaan Bornauw were also solid while substitutions like James Justin and Jayden Lienou looked comfortable.
“Very important minutes in the tank for us against a really good side,” Farke said in a video posted on X via US journalist Matthew Mangam. “Two teams out of the best league in the world, it’s always competitive and never easy. You have to accept spells when the opponent puts pressure on you but we got a first win under our belts and also a first clean sheet.
“We defended excellently today, and didn't allow many chances. We could have scored one or two more goals but definitely don't complain about a good performance and clean sheet against another Premier League side.”
Leeds now have one win and one defeat from two games in the US and will hope to end their pre-season tour with a positive record. The Whites face Liverpool at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, with kick-off at 9pm UK time.
Daniel Farke on Leeds United test vs Liverpool
The Merseyside club have already beaten Wrexham and Sunderland across the Atlantic, while head coach Andoni Iraola has revealed the likes of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and £60m summer signing Jeremy Jacquet will feature. But it’s not just the level of opposition that makes Sunday Leeds’ toughest challenge yet.
“I expect another difficult test,” Farke added. “The quality of Liverpool and their players is never in doubt. It will probably be the most challenging test not just because of Liverpool’s quality but also because it’s the end of a long training camp for us.
“We’ve had three weeks without a day off, many double sessions, this morning before the game we had a session so it’s demanding at the moment. Of course we won’t be fully fresh and sharp for this game but nevertheless highly-motivated to put in a good performance and another good result.
“We want to represent this club in the best possible way and there is no replacement for the winning feeling. We definitely want another positive night.”