Liverpool line-up vs Sunderland predicted as Harvey Elliott handed new lifeline

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Liverpool plays its first pre-season friendly against Sunderland in Nashville, with Andoni Iraola getting his first chance to see his new side in action this summerHarvey Elliott is back with Liverpool after his loan at Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool fans get their first look at the Andoni Iraola era today as the Reds play their first game under the new head coach.Having spent the week in Chicago to start the US tour, Liverpool has now made its way to Nashville, where it will take on Sunderland in the first of three pre-season friendlies Stateside.Wrexham and Leeds lie in wait, but the immediate focus is on Regis Le Bris’ side who performed so impressively on their return to the Premier League last season, and will provide an immediate test to Iraola in his first game in charge.The new Liverpool boss is yet to get his full complement of players, with eight still away following their involvement at the World Cup. Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Victor Munoz remain a fair way off, having both been involved in the World Cup final.Iraola has had the chance to work with some of the big names that will feature heavily for him next season though - albeit, the Reds’ head coach knows he needs some fresh faces to add to his squad.The likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez, Curtis Jones and Rio Ngumoha should feature today as Liverpool kicks off its pre-season programme.

It is of course always difficult to predict who will start these friendlies, particularly the first one of the summer, although it is clear to see who might feature in a “first-choice” line-up at this stage.Stefan Bajcetic will likely be rested after making his long-awaited return to training(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike won’t feature as they continue their recoveries from long-term injuries. Stefan Bajcetic may be an option after making his long-awaited return to traning, although he won’t be expected to play a major role, while Wataru Endo is still working his way up to a comeback.With Alisson yet to return, Giorgi Mamardashvili is the frontline goalkeeper for now, with Freddie Woodman offering support after signing his new contract.The back four takes on a fairly familiar look, with Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez all lining up alongside new addition Jeremy Jacquet, who finally gets his chance to start for the Reds after agreeing a deal all the way back at the start of the year.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

This is a big summer for the 23-year-old following his nightmare year at Aston Villa, and an early chance to catch Iraola’s eye is one he needs to grasp with both hands.Andoni Iraola gets his first look at his new side in action today(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Federico Chiesa completes our line-up as the main frontman, although that is perhaps the most contentious decision in this team. Given the Italian’s future is far from certain, Iraola may well take the chance to look at one of the club’s youngsters instead, with Will Wright potentially the frontrunner for that No.9 role in Isak’s absence.Liverpool predicted line-up vs Sunderland: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Jacquet, Gomez, Kerkez; Jones, Szoboszlai, Nyoni; Elliott, Chiesa, Ngumoha.Full touring squad: Gomez, Endo, Jacquet, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Bradley, Chiesa, Leoni, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Frimpong, Abe, Nyoni, Bajcetic, Chambers, Ramsay, Scanlon, McConnell, Jaros, Koumas, Morrison, Ngumoha, W.