Leeds United 's 4-2 victory over Liverpool may have come in pre-season, but there was plenty for Daniel Farke to take away from the performance beyond the result.
For much of the opening 45 minutes at Soldier Field, the Whites struggled to get to grips with Liverpool's movement and quality in possession.
Goals from Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz gave the Reds a deserved two-goal advantage at the break, while Leeds found themselves chasing the game despite creating a handful of promising opportunities through Lukas Nmecha .
What followed after the interval, however, was one of the most impressive tactical displays of Leeds' pre-season campaign.
The biggest factor in the comeback was Farke's willingness to change the game at half-time.
Harry Wilson , Sean Longstaff , Brenden Aaronson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were all introduced, but it wasn't simply fresh legs that altered the contest.
Each substitution brought a different tactical dimension that Liverpool struggled to cope with.
Aaronson immediately offered Leeds more creativity between the lines.
Rather than remaining fixed in one position, the American drifted into pockets of space behind Liverpool's midfield, giving Ethan Ampadu and the defenders another progressive passing option.
His movement repeatedly pulled Liverpool's shape apart and allowed Leeds to play through the middle with far greater success than they had managed before the break.
Calvert-Lewin also transformed Leeds' attacking approach.
During the first half, Nmecha worked tirelessly and linked play well, but the introduction of the England international gave Leeds a more physical focal point inside the penalty area.
Liverpool's centre-backs suddenly had to deal with a striker who was constantly occupying them, allowing midfield runners and wide players to exploit the spaces that appeared around him.
That influence became increasingly obvious as the second half progressed.
Calvert-Lewin's movement created uncertainty in Liverpool's defensive line, while his presence ensured Leeds had a genuine target whenever crosses or long throws entered the penalty area.
Another key feature of Leeds' comeback was their pressing.
Liverpool enjoyed long spells of controlled possession during the opening half, moving the ball comfortably through midfield and limiting Leeds' opportunities to win it back in advanced positions.
After the restart, the Whites became far more aggressive without the ball.
Aaronson, Longstaff and Wilson all pressed with intensity, forcing Liverpool into quicker decisions and preventing the Reds from building attacks with the same level of composure.
That increased pressure eventually led to mistakes, with Aaronson's goal arriving after Leeds capitalised on a turnover high up the pitch.
The tactical adjustment didn't just help Leeds regain possession more frequently.
It also ensured Liverpool spent far more time defending inside their own half, completely shifting the momentum of the match.
Ampadu's influence was equally important.
Operating from midfield, the captain dictated the tempo of Leeds' attacks while also providing one of the team's most effective attacking weapons.
His long throws consistently caused problems for Liverpool throughout the second half and directly contributed to two of the four goals.
The equaliser arrived when Ampadu launched a throw deep into the penalty area, Joe Rodon flicked the ball on and Calvert-Lewin reacted quickest at the back post to score from close range.
Leeds repeated almost exactly the same routine later in the match.
Another dangerous throw from Ampadu was glanced on by Sebastiaan Bornauw , allowing Calvert-Lewin to head home his second goal and complete an outstanding comeback.
It was a reminder that Leeds possess another genuine route to goal beyond open play.
Set-pieces and long throws can often prove decisive in the Premier League, and the understanding already developing between Ampadu, Rodon, Bornauw and Calvert-Lewin could become a valuable asset once the competitive campaign begins.
Sean Longstaff's role also deserves recognition.
The midfielder has quietly impressed throughout pre-season, but his performance against Liverpool highlighted why Leeds were so keen to bring him to Elland Road.
Rather than sitting deep alongside Ampadu, Longstaff regularly timed his forward runs into the penalty area, giving Liverpool another player to track and creating overloads in dangerous positions.
His goal, arriving after Aaronson's excellent cut-back, was the reward for another intelligent run beyond the forwards.
It demonstrated the value of having midfielders capable of contributing in the final third rather than simply controlling possession.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the performance was Leeds' mentality.
Many sides would have accepted defeat after falling two goals behind against a team of Liverpool's quality, particularly in a pre-season fixture.
Instead, Farke's players responded with greater intensity, sharper pressing and increased belief, completely taking control of the second half.
Pre-season results should never be overanalysed, but the tactical improvements after the interval offered genuine encouragement.
Leeds looked more aggressive, more direct and significantly more dangerous once the substitutions were made.
Their pressing improved, their attacking structure became more fluid, and they repeatedly exploited Liverpool's weaknesses from both open play and set-pieces.
If Sunday's performance is any indication of what Daniel Farke wants from his side heading into the new Premier League season, Leeds supporters have every reason to be optimistic.
The result itself was impressive, but the tactical flexibility and ability to adapt during the game may ultimately prove even more valuable when the real action begins.
