WAKE-UP CALL: 4 transfers Liverpool need to complete after Leeds defeat showed harsh reality

The proper stuff is now less than three weeks away and Liverpool still have work to do in the transfer market.

Andoni Iraola has been getting to know the squad he inherited on the club's pre-season tour of the United States, concluding with a 4-2 defeat to Leeds on Sunday. Goals from Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz had the Reds 2-0 up at half-time but Leeds ran riot in the second half, scoring four goals in 25 minutes to win the game.

Liverpool's new manager has yet to work with some key figures following the World Cup, with Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister both absent for the tour.

However, Iraola will want Liverpool to be active in the transfer window before they travel to Newcastle for their Premier League curtain-raiser on August 23. Here are four signings Liverpool could make before the transfer deadline.

Liverpool have been rocked by bad luck in the central defensive areas. Giovanni Leoni signed last year before sustaining an ACL injury on his debut, while Jeremy Jacquet, another new buy, has yet to feature in pre-season and missed out here.

With Van Dijk also absent, a very youthful backline wilted under a barrage of Leeds pressure in the second half. And while Van Dijk would have made a huge difference, it still feels as though Liverpool need at least one more centre-back - especially with Joe Gomez also set to miss the start of the season.

Milos Kerkez was part of last summer's spending splurge that failed to yield consecutive Premier League titles for Liverpool. But the Hungary international did find his feet after a challenging start to the season and finished the campaign looking like the player who flourished at Bournemouth to earn a big-money move.

Kerkez will undoubtedly start the season as first-choice, but quality depth and competition in that area is a must following Andy Robertson's exit. Kostas Tsimikas spent last season out on loan and could provide that. Or the Greece international could be moved on for good.

And while Chambers, impressive at centre-back in the win over Wrexham and on the scoresheet here, has impressed Iraola in pre-season, it would probably be a big ask for the rookie full-back to be Kerkez's deputy.

While the Leeds game highlighted the deficiencies in Liverpool's makeshift defence, they are still operating with a Mohamed Salah-sized hope in attack.

Finding the right successor to Liverpool's Egyptian King is an absolute must if they are to enjoy a better season this time around. Bradley Barcola has seemingly emerged as their preferred target, although any deal is unlikely to be cheap and could result in Liverpool spending in excess of £100million on a player for the THIRD time in 12 months.

Whether it's Barcola or somebody else, adding a right winger is a non-negotiatiable for Liverpool. And given whoever does come in will be following Anfield royalty in the role, they could do with ample time bedding in. So getting a deal down is a priority.

With Curtis Jones looking likely to move on this summer, Liverpool could do with another central midfielder to make sure Iraola isn't left short.

Intriguingly, could the answer come from within? Harvey Elliott's time at Anfield looked up to be up when he joined Aston Villa on a loan move with an obligation last summer, only to be frozen out. Or how about the impressive Trey Nyoni, who has a big impression in pre-season.

Maybe it's too early for Nyoni. And maybe Elliott will join Jones in moving on permanently this summer. Either way, a new face in midfield would be welcomed.