The Andoni Iraola era at Liverpool will begin tomorrow night in the unlikely event of Nashville.
The Merseysiders face Sunderland in a friendly at Geodis Park as Iraola continues his preparations ahead of what will be a big season for the Spaniard.
Liverpool limped to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last season after a failed title defense that ultimately cost Arne Slot his job.
Iraola has been in charge since early June but has been without a number of key players – including captain Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch – who are on holiday following their World Cup exploits.
He was still able to take a strong team to the United States, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones among the top pros who made the trip.
His first job will be to win and put together a dressing room that has broken down at times under Slot. The former Bournemouth manager inspired a positive atmosphere at the Vitality Stadium and will hope to do so again at Anfield.
He told The Guardian: “I can’t change the personality of the players. Some players are very different from me but they are good players. I don’t want to change everyone who thinks it’s the best way. But I think we have to think about participation in this game. As a player you are always selfish. and the group.
“The first thing we have to do is try to play well, but it’s not only about playing well, the fans must see what they see on the field. Sometimes it’s not just about putting one ball in the top corner. Most of the time, those who watch the game, it’s okay, they can’t do that but they run, they know how to fight for balls, they can press, they can see the players of the team until each situation. It’s easy to get behind that team and I will encourage my team to give them these things.
It may take some time to implement his philosophy and a clash with a Sunderland side who finished seventh in their first season back in the Premier League offers a great opportunity to make an early mark.
Regis Le Bris’ side took four points from Iraola’s Bournemouth last season but most of the players who stood out in those two games will not be part of the weekend due to participation in the World Cup.
The Wearsiders will work with a small team until the return of players such as Granit Xhaka, Brian Brobbey and Omar Alderrete.
Liverpool v Sunderland Team News
Liverpool could give new signing Jeremy Jacquet a start but Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo are not yet ready despite returning to training.
Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined while Gravenberch, Isak, Wirtz, Alisson, Cody Gakpo, Van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz are still on their post-World Cup break.
Sunderland opened their pre-season campaign at York last Saturday, winning 5-1, and will select the same team. Enzo Le Fee and Nordi Mukiele are available.
Liverpool v Sunderland expected matches
Liverpool: Mamadashvili; Frimpong, Jacquet, Gomez, Kerkez; Jones, Elliott, Szoboszlai; Chiesa, Ngumoha, Koumas
Sunderland: Ellborg; Hume, Mukiele, O’Nien, Reinildo; Browne, Le Fee, Rigg; Tutierov, Mundle, Isidor
How to watch Liverpool v Sunderland: TV and online streams
Liverpool and Sunderland kick off tomorrow night at 11pm UK time. The game is not televised in the UK but you can watch it on LFCTV and SAFC Live.
Liverpool v Sunderland stats
- Liverpool took four points from Sunderland in the Premier League last season, drawing 1-1 at Anfield before winning 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
- Sunderland are winless in their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool (D5 L6)
- Sunderland will play in Europe next season for the first time in 53 years
Liverpool v Sunderland prediction
Preseason games are always difficult to predict given the number of changes that often occur. But looking at the expected starting XIs, we give Liverpool the edge.
The Merseysiders have a deep squad so they won’t be sorely missed at the World Cup.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland
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