Leeds United thumped Liverpool 4-2 in Chicago — but the celebrations came with a nervy asterisk. Star left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson limped off with a thigh injury, and even he doesn’t know yet how bad it is.

The Moment That Silenced the Celebrations

It should have been a perfect pre-season night for Leeds United. Daniel Farke’s side fought back to beat Liverpool 4-2 in Chicago — a genuine statement result heading into the new Premier League campaign. Instead, the story of the game became an injury.

Gabriel Gudmundsson, started by Farke against the Reds, was forced off in the 34th minute after picking up a thigh problem. Sebastiaan Bornauw came on in his place, and while Leeds finished the job on the pitch, the mood around Gudmundsson has been anything but celebratory since.

“It’s Disappointing” — Gudmundsson Breaks His Silence

Speaking to Aftonbladet, the Swedish international didn’t hide his frustration. Asked about the injury, Gudmundsson admitted: “It’s disappointing. It was a little feeling, so we’ll see.” When pressed on whether it was his hamstring again, he confirmed it felt like the back of his thigh — but crucially, insisted it’s not the same muscle that sidelined him back in May.

Dig deeper, though, and the uncertainty is obvious. Asked directly whether it was muscle tightness or cramp, Gudmundsson refused to be drawn: “No, the other one. I don’t want to go into that; I don’t have an answer right now. We’ll see.” Leeds have now returned to the UK, where the 27-year-old will undergo tests to determine exactly what he’s dealing with.

Why This Injury Couldn’t Come at a Worse Time

Context makes this scarier for Leeds fans. Gudmundsson only signed from Lille in July 2025 and enjoyed an impressive debut season with 35 appearances — but he’s no stranger to thigh trouble. A hamstring injury in May forced him out of Leeds’ run-in entirely, and he only recovered in time to feature for Sweden at this summer’s World Cup, where he made four appearances.

If this new setback proves serious, the timing is brutal. Daniel Farke would be left with Sam Byram as his only recognised senior left-back heading into a Premier League season — a situation that could force Leeds into the transfer market before the window shuts.

What Happens Next?

For now, everything hinges on those test results. Gudmundsson himself summed up the uncertainty best: “We’ll see what the results are.” Leeds fans will be hoping it’s nothing more than precautionary caution — because losing their first-choice left-back for any length of time would pile real pressure on a defence already being tested before a ball has even been kicked in anger.

Story developing — check back for updates on Gudmundsson’s injury.