Andoni Iraola Leads Liverpool into Pre‑Season with Sunderland Friendly in Nashville

Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was appointed Liverpool manager in early June 2026, succeeding the short‑lived tenure of Arne Slot. His first assignment is a pre‑season friendly against Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville on 25 July 2026. The match opens Liverpool’s U.S. summer tour and will be streamed via LFCTV, All Red Video and SAFC Live.

Liverpool arrived in the United States with a depleted squad: senior players such as Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and several World‑Cup‑returning loanees are unavailable due to injury or rest. Fringe players including Dominik Szoboszlai, Rio Ngumoha, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are expected to feature, giving Iraola a chance to test his high‑intensity, pressing philosophy.

The new coach also faces a transfer agenda, notably the search for a successor to Mohamed Salah. Liverpool have secured Victor Munoz and are negotiating for wingers such as Yan Diomande, while other targets remain on the list. Iraola stresses building a collective, “very difficult to beat” side and urges intensive training sessions as the squad prepares for further fixtures against Wrexham, Leeds, Monaco and Como.