Liverpool's preseason tour of the United States has left coach Andoni Iraola and his staff with serious concerns as the club looks ahead to the 2026-27 season. The trip exposed a number of issues that the squad will need to address before competitive football resumes.

Injuries emerged as one of the most pressing problems during the US stint, with several key players sidelined and unavailable for selection. The absences placed an extra burden on those who did take to the field, and the depth of the squad was tested in ways that will give the coaching staff pause for thought.

Squad depth, in particular, proved a genuine worry. When first-choice options were unavailable, Liverpool's options thinned out quickly, raising questions about whether the club has sufficient cover across key positions heading into the new campaign.

Iraola, who took charge of Liverpool ahead of this preseason, has been given an early indication of the work that lies ahead. Building a competitive squad capable of challenging at the top level will require activity in the transfer market, as the current group showed clear limitations when stretched by absences.

The US tour featured matches against clubs including Leeds United, Wrexham, and Sunderland, providing a varied set of opponents against which to test combinations and fitness levels. While preseason results carry limited weight in isolation, the underlying patterns observed — injury frequency, thin cover in certain areas — will demand attention.

With the 2026-27 season on the horizon, Liverpool's hierarchy and Iraola will need to move decisively to reinforce the squad. The lessons from the United States have made it clear that standing still is not an option.