Liverpool will open their first pre-season friendly campaign of the 2026 summer against Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville on July 25, 2025, at 11 PM (BST). Here is everything you need to know and what to expect ahead of the game.
Andoni Iraola’s first game as the Reds’ new head coach
This friendly is expected to carry more weight for the Liverpool supporters as they have eyes on the newly appointed head coach, Andoni Iraola, to see if he has the qualities to lead the squad.
Liverpool parted ways with Arne Slot at the end of the 2025/2026 season, only one year after delivering the club’s 20th league title, and finished 5th in the 2025/2026 season, narrowly qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Andoni Iraola, the former Bournemouth manager, who has built a reputation for his aggressive pressing, was appointed as his successor at the club on a two year deal.
Sunderland will be the first opponent Iraola would face as the new Liverpool boss, so the fans expect the build-up, shape, structure and not just the scoreline.
Who’s expected to feature
Most of the players are still settling in after the World Cup break, but regardless, the management team has already put together a 31-man squad for the pre-season tour in the United States.
Liverpool is set to field a rotated group for the game against Sunderland rather than their strongest XI. Here are the two possible line-ups to expect;
Predicted 1st XI: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Joe Gomez, Milos Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Kierran Morrison, Harvey Elliott, Rio Ngumoha, Federico Chiesa.
Predicted 2nd XI: Freddie Woodman, Calvin Ramsay, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Kostas Tsimikas, James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Josh Abe, Josh Sonni-Lambie, Lewis Koumas, Will Wright.
NB: These lineups are pre-match predictions based on training and fitness reports; it is not confirmed by the team sheets, so treat them as best guesses, not a locked-in fact.
Most recent meetings between the two clubs
In the last competitive appearance between Liverpool and Sunderland, the two teams have shared some tight results. However, this is a friendly game, and the result does not really count to determine superiority.
Here is a breakdown of head to head competition between both sides;
Feb 2026: Sunderland 0:1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 2025: Liverpool 1:1 Sunderland (Premier League)
Jan 2017: Sunderland 2:2 Liverpool (Premier League)
Nov 2016: Liverpool 2:0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Feb 2016: Liverpool 2:2 Sunderland (Premier League)
In the last five (5) competitive games between the two sides, Liverpool have won two (2) games, and Sunderland have won none; the two sides have drawn in three (3) games.
How to watch the match wherever you are
Liverpool are broadcasting the match worldwide through LFCTV or LFCTV GO, so no matter which timezone you are in, there is a way to follow it live.
Nashville/ US Central: kickoff is 5: PM CDT, an easy evening watch if you are at GEODIS Park itself
UK: it is a late one, 11:00 PM BST, so this is a Saturday night into Sunday morning fixture.
Everywhere else: LFCTV GO carries the match for international subscribers alongside local listings.
