Liverpool beat Sunderland 4-2 in Iraola debut as Gomez injury raises concern
Liverpool beat Sunderland 4-2 in Andoni Iraola’s first match as head coach, but Joe Gomez’s early injury intensified concern over the club’s defensive depth.
Liverpool began Andoni Iraola’s tenure as head coach with a 4-2 preseason victory over Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday, July 25, 2026, but an early injury to Joe Gomez added to concerns about the club’s defensive depth.
Gomez left the match after receiving treatment in the opening 10 minutes. His departure left Liverpool with 18-year-old centre-backs Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe in the back line. Iraola described the injury as the worst news of the evening, after the squad had previously avoided losing players during training.
Kieran Morrison scored the first goal of Iraola’s Liverpool tenure, finishing after being released by Harvey Elliott. Enzo Le Fée equalised for Sunderland with a long-range strike before Timur Tutierov put Sunderland ahead after halftime.
Liverpool recovered through goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas. Szoboszlai levelled from outside the penalty area, Chiesa converted from Calvin Ramsay’s pass and Koumas completed the scoring after being released by Szoboszlai.
The friendly highlighted both Liverpool’s attacking options and the pressure on its defence. Summer signing Jeremy Jacquet was held out as a precaution and is expected to feature later in the club’s United States tour, while Giovanni Leoni has yet to return to full training following an ACL injury. Liverpool are scheduled to conclude the tour against Leeds in Chicago on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
