NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 25: Liverpool midfielder Kieran Morrison (68) and Sunderland defender Reinildo Mandava (17) race for a loose ball during a friendly match between Liverpool and Sunderland, July 25, 2026, at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Liverpool midfielder Kieran Morrison and Sunderland defender Reinildo Mandava race for a loose ball during the friendly match at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee(Image: Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Liverpool kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 4-2 win over Sunderland at Nashville's GEODIS Park on Saturday.
Kieran Morrison's opener was cancelled out by Enzo Le Fee before the Black Cats took the lead in the second half through Timur Tutierov.
Dominik Szoboszlai, on for the second period, levelled with a superb strike before efforts from Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas gave Andoni Iraola a win on his first game in charge.
The Reds will now meet Wrexham at New York's Yankee Stadium next week before wrapping up the tour with a clash with Leeds United in Chicago's Solider Field.
The ECHO was in Nashville to run the rule over proceedings. Here's how they rated.
GIORGI MAMARDASHVILI - 6
Made a good save to keep it at 1-1 when he denied Le Fee. Could do nothing about the first equaliser.
JEREMIE FRIMPONG - 4
Lost the ball in his own area and was bailed out by the goalkeeper in the first half. Needs to offer more going forward also. He's ironing out the kinks in pre-season, if we're being kind.
JOE GOMEZ - 6
Evening lasted less than eight minutes. Was taken off for Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
MOR TALLA NDIAYE - 5
Looked shaky in possession at times and wasn't helped by the experienced Gomez going off.
KOSTAS TSIMIKAS - 6
Didn't have a whole lot to do during the opening 45 minutes but was alert to cut out a dangerous move late in the half.
JAMES McCONNELL - 6
Muscled out of it for the Sunderland goal too easily but played his part in the opener with a smart pass.
CURTIS JONES - 6
Kept things ticking over in midfield and appeared to relish the seniority, dishing out the orders in the centre of the park.
KIERAN MORRISON - 8
Took his goal really well, cutting in off the right side and guiding it home. Was a constant threat to Sunderland and offered enough to Iraola here to suggest more opportunities will be coming his way.
HARVEY ELLIOTT - 7
Playing in perhaps his favoured position at No.10, the attacking midfielder created a smart assist for Morrison early on.
RIO NGUMOHA - 7
Always keen to run at his man and played some intelligent passes across the penalty area at times. Was given some extra attention by the Sunderland defenders.
WILL WRIGHT - 5
Led the line alone and wasn't given too much service. Feeding off scraps.
Subs
IFEANYI NDUKWE - 6
Did not look overawed on his first outing as a Liverpool and looks a real presence already, even at 18.
MILOS KERKEZ - 6
Important clearance off the line with his weaker right foot. Always willing to work in tandem with his winger also.
TREY NYONI - 7
Some really intelligent and purposeful use of the ball at times. Could be a real asset this season if a loan move isn't in his future.
DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI - 8
Was handed the captain's armband upon his arrival and equalised with a superb effort and assist for Koumas. Could be set to take his game up even further this season.
FEDERICO CHIESA - 7
Took his goal really well with a high finish from a tight angle and played a vital part in the fourth. Has to keep it up now this pre-season.
LEWIS KOUMAS - 8
Pressed well at times and didn't give the defenders any peace on the ball and took his goal superbly late on. Versatile youngster will definitely want to build on this showing here.
CALUM SCANLON - 7
Almost made it 3-2 with a slide at the back post and was very lively in his cameo. Has pace to burn and is extremely direct.
LUKE CHAMBERS - 6
Versatile left-sided defender played centre-back and was calm in possession without having a lot to do.
JOSH ABE - 6
Can see why there is such interest and excitement around Abe, who wasn't shy of having a run at his opposite numbers at just 16.
FREDDIE WOODMAN - 6
Kept goal in place of Mamardashvili and didn't have loads to do.
CALVIN RAMSAY - 6
Played a really clever pass into Chiesa for the third goal.