Liverpool and Sunderland meet in the US in a pre-season clash ahead of the new Premier League campaign
The Andoni Iraola era at Liverpool gets up and running tonight when the Reds take on Sunderland in a pre-season friendly.
Arne Slot’s title defence did not go to plan last season and Anfield chiefs decided to part ways with the Dutchman, just 12 months after he lifted the Premier League trophy.
Former Bournemouth boss Iraola is the man charged to bring back winning ways on Merseyside and his first test of the summer comes against the Black Cats in Tennessee.
He will do so without three big players, with Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate having left the club during the off season.
The Reds will round off their American tour with games against Leeds United and Wrexham before Anfield matches against Monaco and Como.
But first it’s the Wearsiders, who kicked off their own summer campaign with a 5-1 win over York City.
Here is everything you need to know.
What time is Liverpool v Sunderland?
Liverpool v Sunderland kicks off at 11pm BST on Saturday, July 25, at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
Is the game on TV?
The game is being shown on two channels, both in-house. It will be streamed live on SAFC.com and Liverpool’s dedicated service All Red.
Squads
Liverpool
Keepers: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Vitezslav Jaros, Bailey Hall, Harvey Davies.
Defenders: Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Calvin Ramsay, Calum Scanlon, Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trey Nyoni, Josh Abe, Stefan Bajcetic, James McConnell, Kieran Morrison.
Forwards: Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha, Will Wright, Josh Sonni-Lambie.
Sunderland’s travelling squad hasn’t bee confirmed. This was the squad that faced York
Keepers: Melker Ellborg, Simon Moore, Ben Metcalf
Defenders: Reinildo Mandava, Luke O’Nien, Nordi Mukiele, Trai Hume, Jenson Seelt, Leo Hjelde, Aji Alese, Ben Kindon, Archie Lightfoot.
Midfielders: Chris Rigg, Alan Browne,Timur Tutierov, Enzo Le Fee Jocelin Ta Bi, Charlie Dinsdale, Jack Whittaker, Harrison Jones, Tom Proctor.
Forwards: Trey Ogunsuyi, Finn Geragusian.
Quotes corner
Andoni Iraola: “I need to prove myself and get everyone to know that I belong here, that I have the level to stay here, that I have the level to coach Liverpool.
“That’s my challenge short term. Once you’ve gone through this process and everyone understands that you belong, everything gets easier – from the players, the supporters, the media and the opposition.
“But you have to go through this process. I trust myself a lot and I think I’m ready for the challenge that I know is very big.
“When I came here, the owners told me everything is not perfect.
“They said we would have some challenges, we would have to replace important players leaving, we have some injuries, but we are here to solve these problems and to maximise what we have.
“In my opinion, we have a very good squad.”
Régis Le Bris: “We gave 45 minutes to each team who have been connected with the training workflow.
“It is important to experience game situations, and to be fair, York played good football this afternoon.
“They tested our defensive structure, and in the first half we were able to score four goals, so it was good.
“We will go through this pre-season with different issues and dynamics to manage. We don’t want to rush the game time for our players.
“For the players who experienced the World Cup, we will have to build the first layers without much game time at the beginning, with only short periods on the pitch.
“When we face Lens and Rennes, I hope we have the full squad available.”
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