Overview
Liverpool entered the summer with many expectations after a disappointing 2025-2026 season. The Anfield home team could not defend the Premier League title, ending the season empty-handed and finishing only in fifth place.
Even, the "Reds" set a sad record when losing 20 matches in all competitions - the most in a season since the beginning of the 21st century. That achievement caused Arne Slot to leave the coaching chair immediately after the season.
Liverpool's leadership then appointed Andoni Iraola, former Bournemouth coach, with the expectation of creating a new revolution. The 44-year-old strategist is famous for his energetic, high-intensity football philosophy and is constantly compared to Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool fans will have the opportunity to witness Iraola's first marks in the friendly match against Sunderland. However, the Spanish strategist still does not have the strongest force at his disposal as many key players such as Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister are absent due to rest after the 2026 World Cup.
Last season, Liverpool experienced two difficult encounters against Sunderland in the Premier League. At Anfield, they were held to a 1-1 draw and only kept one point thanks to Nordi Mukiele's own goal. In the second leg at Stadium of Light, the Merseyside team won a minimal 1-0 victory thanks to Van Dijk's goal.
On the other side, Sunderland just had a memorable season after returning to the Premier League. Coach Regis Le Bris's team won promotion through the Championship play-offs before surprisingly finishing seventh in their first season back in the top league.
Sunderland's most notable signing is Granit Xhaka. The former Arsenal midfielder quickly became captain and played an important role in the team's success.
This achievement helped Sunderland qualify for the Europa League 2026-2027, marking their first appearance in the European arena since the 1973-1974 season and only the second time in the club's history.
Le Bris's team is on a tour in the US and will successively face Liverpool, Wrexham and Leeds United before meeting Lens and Rennes in early August. Previously, Sunderland created psychological momentum with a 5-1 victory over York City.
Although only a friendly match, the confrontation with Liverpool still receives great attention as Sunderland has not won against this opponent in the last 12 encounters.
Personnel situation
Liverpool will not have their strongest force in the summer tour in the US when Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Victor Munoz are absent after participating in the 2026 World Cup final.
In addition, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Cody Gakpo will still stay at the AXA training center to practice separately, while Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch are expected to only gather next week, meaning they will miss the friendly match against Sunderland.
Sunderland also does not have the strongest squad for the US tour. Granit Xhaka, Chemsdine Talbi, Omar Alderete and Thomas Meunier are all absent after advancing with their national team at the 2026 World Cup.
In addition, Brian Brobbey, Nilson Angulo, Habib Diarra, Robin Roefs, Simon Adingra, Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki only joined the team on July 26, so will not participate in the friendly match with Liverpool.
Expected lineup:
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Ramsay, Gomez, Jacquet, Kerkez, Nyoni, Jones, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Ngumoha, Wright.
Sunderland: Ellborg, Mukiele, O'Nien, Hume, Reinildo, Browne, Rigg, Scott, Le Fee, Tutierov, Ogunsuyi.
The match between Liverpool and Sunderland takes place at 5:00 a.m. on July 26 (Vietnam time).
