Iraola Begins Liverpool Reign with Pre-Season Win over Sunderland
Liverpool’s first preseason win under Andoni Iraola came with four goals, but Joe Gomez left after eight minutes with an injury.
- On Saturday, July 25, 2026, Liverpool defeated Sunderland 4-2 at GEODIS Park in Nashville, marking new head coach Andoni Iraola's first match in charge during the team's United States pre-season tour.
- Head coach Iraola described the early injury to defender Joe Gomez as "the worst news" of the tour, as the longest-serving player left the pitch after eight minutes with a muscle issue.
- Goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa, and Lewis Koumas secured the victory, though Iraola noted the squad showed "heavy legs" and lacked intensity during the humid match.
- With Jeremy Jacquet rested following shoulder surgery and Virgil van Dijk recovering after the World Cup, Iraola admitted defensive options are "very thin" during the pre-season period.
- Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch are set to resume training in Chicago on Sunday as the Reds prepare for their next friendly against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium next week.
45 Articles
45 Articles
Andoni Iraola made a winning start to his time at the helm of Liverpool - his team beat Sunderland 4:2 (1:1) in a friendly match in Nashville, but suffered a loss early in the match.
Regis Le Bris' side led Andoni Iraola's Reds 2-1 before losing 4-2 in Nashville
Premier League — Gomez injury mars start of Iraola era at Liverpool
Gomez’s premature exit added to Iraola’s defensive issues, with new signing Jeremy Jacquet still being eased back after his own fitness problems and Giovanni Leoni recovering following a long-term absence.
Joe Gomez injury overshadows Liverpool’s 4-2 win under Andoni Iraola in Nashville
Liverpool’s pre-season victory was overshadowed by a significant blow as Joe Gomez suffered an early injury in their 4-2 triumph over Sunderland in Nashville. The 29-year-old defender, Liverpool’s longest-serving player, was forced off within the opening 10 minutes due to a muscle problem, casting a shadow over Andoni Iraola’s debut win as Liverpool manager. Gomez’s injury marks a severe setback given Liverpool’s already depleted defensive roste…
'We'll see where that takes me now': Northern Ireland teenager outlines Liverpool dream after pre-season goal
Northern Ireland international Kieran Morrison has outlined his desire to become “an option” for new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola after scoring a maiden Reds goal in their 4-2 pre-season win over Sunderland in America.
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