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Andoni Iraola## Liverpool striker Josh Sonni-Lambie is one of a number of academy players called up by new head coach Andoni Iraola for the club's pre-season tour of the US, where he could make his senior debut
Paul Wheelock Head of sport
08:14, 24 Jul 2026
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Josh Sonni-Lambieof Liverpool warms up prior to the UEFA Youth League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Liverpool FC Academy on November 26, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images)
Josh Sonni-Lambie, pictured warming up prior to the UEFA Youth League match between Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven in November, is out to impress on the US tour(Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images)
Teenage Liverpool striker Josh Sonni-Lambie is eagerly anticipating the possibility of making his senior debut during the club's US tour - and has shared his response to learning he would be travelling.
The Reds face their opening fixture of three matches in America on Saturday when they meet Premier League opponents Sunderland at Geodis Park in Nashville (11pm kick-off UK time). Sonni-Lambie could feature after being amongst several academy players selected by new head coach Andoni Iraola for the trip across the Atlantic.
The 18 year old comes off the back of an impressive campaign for Liverpool's Under-18s, netting 21 goals in all competitions. His performances earned him a debut appearance for the Reds' Under-21s squad and, with fixtures against Wrexham and Leeds United scheduled in America, there's a strong possibility Sonni-Lambie will make his first-team debut over the coming fortnight, reports the Liverpool Echo.
"It'd just be amazing just to play for this club," he said. "It will be amazing for me and my family. So, if I get minutes, I've just got to take it. And I can't wait."
His family were the first people he contacted after discovering he was included in Liverpool's initial 31-man travelling squad, which excludes the international players who competed for their nations at the World Cup.
Sonni-Lambie said: "Last week, a group of us were training with the first team for a couple days, and then I found out Saturday evening, we just got a message, I got told I was coming to America.
Joshua Sonni-Lambie scores a penalty
Joshua Sonni-Lambie impressed in the youth setup last season(Image: Getty Images)
"So, first thing I just called my mum and then told my dad when I got home. I was just so happy. It's just amazing. The first couple of days has been good, a very good experience and I'm just very happy to be here."
Sonni-Lambie received a nomination for the U18s Premier League Player of the Season award previously and remains committed to maintaining his goalscoring momentum into the upcoming campaign.
However, at present his undivided attention is on savouring the opportunity of training with the first-team squad and the possibility of making an impression on Iraola, who is conducting twice-daily training sessions throughout the week.
"It's tough and especially with the heat as well, it's very hot out here. You've just got to get used to it," Sonni-Lambie told Liverpoolfc.com while in Chicago.
"We're here for two weeks so by tomorrow or the next day I should get used to it, and the time difference as well.
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"It's basically my first time showing myself in front of a manager properly, so I've just got to give it my all and hopefully impress them."
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