Iraola starts Liverpool spell with 4-2 preseason win, but defence raises questions

Andoni Iraola began as Liverpool head coach with a 4-2 preseason victory over Sunderland in Nashville. The result was encouraging, but Joe Gomez’s early injury gave Liverpool an immediate concern in central defence.

Gomez captained the side but went off after roughly 10 minutes with what was described in the source as a muscle issue. With Giovanni Leoni still recovering from a long-term ACL injury and Jeremy Jacquet absent with a minor knock, the match underlined why Liverpool’s centre-back depth is already under scrutiny before the season begins.

There were also early signs of the high-energy approach Iraola is expected to favour. Liverpool’s goals included a 13th-minute opener from Kieran Morrison after a sharp team move, while Lewis Koumas later scored following strong pressure high up the pitch. Dominik Szoboszlai also stood out after the break, scoring with a long-range volley and creating Koumas’s goal.

The friendly also offered minutes to younger players, with Morrison, Koumas, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell all noted positively in the source report. As with any preseason fixture, the performance should not be overread, but it gave editors and supporters a first view of how Iraola may blend pressing intensity, senior leaders and academy prospects.