Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is working urgently to prepare his side for the Premier League season, with the club’s pre-season programme disrupted by player absences and injuries. Defensive shortages are especially concerning, leaving Iraola needing both quick solutions in training and possible transfer-market cover before the campaign starts in three weeks.

Eight first-team players have been away on post-World Cup holidays and six others are injured, including centre-backs Jérémy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez. Liverpool face Leeds in Chicago on Sunday, when Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are expected to make their first pre-season appearances after the club’s combined £241m investment; Iraola plans to use Wirtz behind the striker to support Isak and/or Hugo Ekitiké.