Andoni Iraola began his tenure as Liverpool head coach with a 4-2 victory over Sunderland in Nashville. The match, part of Liverpool’s summer tour of the US, saw goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa, and Lewis Koumas. Despite the win, the early departure of defender Joe Gomez due to injury presented a concern for Iraola’s side.
The game marked Iraola’s first in charge since replacing Arne Slot at Anfield in June. The Basque coach expressed satisfaction with aspects of Liverpool’s performance, particularly a team move that led to Morrison’s opening goal in the 13th minute. However, he also acknowledged areas for improvement, noting that the team lacked some freshness due to ongoing training.
Match Highlights and Key Moments
The match saw a dynamic shift in momentum. Kieran Morrison opened the scoring for Liverpool with a low shot after a team move involving McConnell, Ngumoha, and Elliott. Sunderland responded, with Le Fee equalising from 25 yards after McConnell lost possession. Sunderland then took the lead early in the second half through Timur Tutierov, who finished confidently after Frimpong lost possession.
Liverpool then rallied, with Dominik Szoboszlai levelling the score with a powerful volley from the left edge of the box, following an attack involving Koumas and Kerkez. Federico Chiesa put Liverpool back in front in the 72nd minute, converting from a tight angle after being set up by Ramsey. Lewis Koumas sealed the victory with a confident finish after receiving a pass from Szoboszlai, who had forced a turnover from Sunderland.
Iraola made numerous changes after the first half, utilising 22 players throughout the friendly. This allowed several young players to feature, with James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Kieran Morrison, and Lewis Koumas notably impressing. Morrison, who recently signed a four-year contract, showcased his potential by scoring the first goal of Iraola’s era. Koumas, returning to Liverpool after helping Hull City gain promotion, was involved in Szoboszlai’s goal and scored the final goal of the match.
Injury Concern and Defensive Depth
A significant setback for Liverpool was the injury to Joe Gomez, who was forced off early in the match with what appeared to be a muscle issue. Iraola described this as “the worst news,” especially given Gomez’s history of injuries and the current defensive situation. Ibrahima Konate left the club on a free transfer at the end of last season, and both Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet were unavailable for the game due to injury. Leoni is recovering from an ACL injury sustained last September, while Jacquet missed the match with a minor knock after recently recovering from a shoulder issue.
Gomez, who was serving as stand-in captain, will undergo scans to determine the extent of his injury. His early exit led to Ifeanyi Ndukwe replacing him, forming a defensive partnership with Mor Talla Ndiaye. Both youngsters were signed in January, with Ndukwe joining from Austria Vienna and Ndiaye from Amitie. While Ndukwe showed a commanding presence, he is not expected to play for Liverpool this season due to work permit requirements and will likely be sent out on loan.
Upcoming Fixtures
Liverpool’s pre-season schedule continues with several matches. They are set to face Wrexham in New York on July 30, followed by a game against Leeds in Chicago on August 2. The team will then return to Anfield for matches against Monaco on August 9 and Como on August 16.
Sunderland also has upcoming pre-season fixtures, including a match against Leeds in New Jersey on July 31. They will then play Wrexham in Philadelphia on August 2. Later in August, Sunderland is scheduled to play Lens twice, first at Lens’ training ground on August 8, and then at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on the same day. Their pre-season concludes with a match against Rennes at the Stadium of Light on August 15.
The win against Sunderland provides a starting point for Iraola’s new era, with the coach noting that there are “a lot of things to correct” but also positives to build upon.
Source: skysports.com