Liverpool’s first pre-season match under new head coach Andoni Iraola concluded with a 4-2 victory over Sunderland on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee. While the result was positive, the game also highlighted several challenges and developments ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Liverpool’s defensive situation remains a concern. Captain Joe Gomez was forced off with a leg injury less than eight minutes into the match, leaving Iraola to address a depleted backline. Gomez’s injury details remain unclear, but the setback compounds ongoing issues for Liverpool in central defense. New signing Jérémy Jacquet, who arrived from Rennes for £60 million, missed the match due to a dislocated shoulder sustained in February and is also unlikely to feature in the next friendly against Wrexham. Jacquet has been training cautiously to avoid aggravating his shoulder. Another defensive absentee, Giovanni Leoni, who was signed last summer for £26 million, is recovering from an ACL injury and remains sidelined. With veteran Virgil van Dijk resting in Liverpool and both van Dijk and Gomez entering the final year of their contracts, Iraola deployed two teenagers—Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe—to fill the central defense roles for much of the game.
Attention also focused on Harvey Elliott, who is at a pivotal point in his Liverpool career. Once considered a promising contender for a significant role at club and international level, Elliott’s momentum stalled after a loan spell at Aston Villa, where he failed to secure regular playing time. Due to regulations limiting the number of clubs a player can represent in a season, Elliott was unable to seek another loan last term, leaving him in a difficult position. In Nashville, Elliott appeared fit and engaged, providing an assist during his first-half appearance, setting a positive tone for the season ahead under Iraola.
Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai took over the captain’s armband at halftime. The 25-year-old recently signed a five-year contract extension at Liverpool, fueling speculation he could become a vice-captain this season. Iraola, however, withheld comment on leadership appointments, noting his limited contact with the squad since the World Cup. The Hungarian’s introduction at 1-1 marked a turning point as Liverpool gained attacking momentum.
The match also offered glimpses of youth talent and experienced squad members. Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who participated in 19 Premier League games last season, displayed the quick, technical style expected at Liverpool. Nineteen-year-old Kieran Morrison scored the opening goal and was a persistent threat on the right wing, potentially pushing for more first-team opportunities. Meanwhile, veteran Italian winger Federico Chiesa, who has only made two Premier League starts since joining Liverpool, contributed both a goal and an assist, providing a reminder of his quality and experience.
Despite spending close to £100 million on Jacquet and forward Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, Iraola has expressed the need for further reinforcements. When asked about transfer targets, he specifically mentioned the desire to add a winger but suggested his ambitions extend beyond a single signing.
Liverpool’s friendly tour in the United States continues next Wednesday against Wrexham in New York, with Iraola’s squad aiming to build cohesion ahead of the new season amid ongoing challenges and squad development.