A new era begins at Liverpool tonight, and supporters will finally get their first glimpse of what life under Andoni Iraola actually looks like.
The Spaniard was appointed following Arne Slot’s surprise sacking earlier this summer, and expectations around his arrival have been building for weeks.
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Iraola brings with him a reputation forged at Bournemouth, where he transformed a modest squad into one of the most aggressive, high pressing, transition heavy teams in the Premier League, guiding the Cherries to their first ever European qualification in his final season on the south coast.
How that translates to a Liverpool side accustomed to dominating possession is one of the most fascinating tactical questions of the coming campaign.
Tonight’s friendly against Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee is the first opportunity to look for clues.
This is a much changed Liverpool squad, with club legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson having departed this summer, alongside further squad turnover.
Jeremy Jacquet, signed from Rennes, is in line to make his debut, while a number of academy prospects have travelled with the first team and could be handed valuable minutes.
Fans should temper expectations on the team sheet, however.
Players who reached the knockout stages of the World Cup are not expected to feature, and those who are involved are unlikely to play more than 45 minutes given it is their first match back and conditions in Nashville will be brutal, with temperatures around 28°C feeling closer to 37°C due to 74 percent humidity.
There is even a chance of lightning around kickoff, which could cause delays.
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz have joined up with the tour, while Alisson, Cody Gakpo, and Virgil van Dijk reported to the training ground instead.
Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, and Giovanni Leoni all remain sidelined.
When is kickoff?
Liverpool vs Sunderland kicks off at 11pm BST on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
That is 5pm local time in Nashville, 6pm in New York, 3pm in Los Angeles, 2am Sunday in Dubai, 1am Sunday in Nairobi, and 8am Sunday in Sydney.
How to watch on TV
There is no traditional television broadcast of this match in the United Kingdom.
How to livestream
Coverage is available through All Red Video, which is free with registration, with live build up beginning from 10pm BST.
LFCTV memberships start at £4.99 per month, and the stream can also be accessed via the official Liverpool FC app on iOS and Android, plus connected TV apps.
Sunderland supporters can watch via SAFC Live, with match passes priced at £8 or a four match bundle for £30.
One important note: Liverpool’s own live coverage is not available in the United States, so viewers there will need to check local listings for alternatives.
For Iraola, a winning start would be a welcome first impression.
Liverpool vs Sunderland