The Andoni Iraola era at Liverpool will get underway tomorrow night in the unlikely setting of Nashville.
The Merseysiders take on 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 term after a title defence that never really got going and one that ultimately cost Arne Slot his job.
Iraola has been in place since early June but has yet to work with several key players – including captain Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch – who are on holiday following their exertions at the World Cup
He was still able to take a strong squad to the United States, though, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones among the senior pros to have made the trip.
His first task will be to win over and then unite a dressing room that appeared fractured at times under Slot. The former Bournemouth boss fostered a good spirit at the Vitality Stadium and will hope to do so again at Anfield.
He told The Guardian: “I cannot change the personality of the players. Some players are very different to me but they are great players. I don’t want to change everyone and what they think is the best way. But I think we need to think collectively in this game. As a player you are always selfish. You always want to play, you always want to get your stats, you always want to play all the minutes, but I think there has to be an understanding that this is not going to always happen and still I have to be helpful with my teammates and with the team.
“The first thing we have to do is try to play well, but it’s not just only about playing well. Supporters have to identify with what they see on the pitch. Sometimes it’s not about just putting one ball in the top corner. A lot of the time, the ones watching the game, OK, they cannot do that but they can run, they can fight for the balls, they can press, they can fight until the last line for every situation and when they see this from the players of their team it’s easier to get behind that team. I will encourage my team to give them these things.”
It may take time to implement his philosophy and a clash with a Sunderland side that finished seventh in their first season back in the Premier League offers a good chance to lay down an early marker.
Regis Le Bris’ side took four points from Iraola’s Bournemouth last season but the majority of the players who shone in those two games will not take part at the weekend due to their involvement at the World Cup.
The Wearsiders will operate with a young squad until the likes of Granit Xhaka, Brian Brobbey and Omar Alderete return.
Team News for Liverpool v Sunderland
Liverpool could hand a debut to new signing Jeremy Jacquet 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 from a similar squad. Enzo Le Fee and Nordi Mukiele are available.
Expected line-ups for Liverpool v Sunderland
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; 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 versus Sunderland kicks off tomorrow night at 11pm UK time. The game is not on TV in the UK but you can watch it on LFCTV and SAFC Live.
Stats for Liverpool v Sunderland
- Liverpool took four points off Sunderland in the Premier League last season, drawing 1-1 at Anfield before a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light
- Sunderland have not won any of their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool (D5 L6)
- Sunderland will play in Europe next season for the first time in 53 years
Prediction for Liverpool v Sunderland
Pre-season games are always difficult to predict given the amount of changes that usually take place. But looking at the expected starting XIs, we give Liverpool the edge.
The Merseysiders have a deeper squad and therefore won’t miss their World Cup contingent as much.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland
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