Andoni Iraola takes charge of Liverpool for the first time as the Reds begin their preseason tour of the United States in Nashville against Sunderland.
Iraola will look to transform the Reds’ style of play after taking over from Arne Slot, but the Spaniard’s slow start at Bournemouth doesn’t bode well for Saturday night’s contest.
Sunderland began their preparations for the new season with a 5-1 victory at York City last weekend, and they’re heading to the USA for three games after securing European football in their first campaign back in the top flight.
Liverpool v Sunderland Tips Summary
Best Bet - Both teams to score @ 4/6
Alternative Bet - Liverpool to win 3-2 @ 20/1
Bet Builder - Dominik Szoboszlai and Enzo Le Fee to score anytime @ 16/1
Liverpool v Sunderland Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score @ 4/6
Liverpool’s issues were clear in their preseason results 12 months ago, with the Reds conceding in five of their six warm-up matches under Slot. A year of defensive mishaps followed, and Iraola will be charged with tightening things up at the back.
However, that could take time, and Iraola’s first assignment comes with a swathe of key names unavailable.
The Reds begin their preseason tour with Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker among those who haven’t made the trip to the US. New signing Jeremy Jacquet is set to make his first start at the heart of their defence, but Iraola’s side look light in midfield.
Iraola failed to win in his first nine Premier League games with the Cherries, while his side failed to keep clean sheets against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Southampton, and Atalanta in his first preseason campaign.
Sunderland had a huge contingent at the World Cup, including new signing Thomas Meunier. That’s left both sides understrength for this clash in Nashville, and both sides will look hastily thrown together, with a mix of usual names, squad players and youth products.
The Black Cats’ opening match of preseason suggests there will be goals, and Iraola’s style of play should lead to an open game.
Alternative Bet: Liverpool to win 3-2 @ 20/1
Sunderland only won two of their nine preseason matches last summer, losing five of their final six games. That came as they heavily overhauled their side for a return to the top-flight, but many of those key names are recovering from World Cup duty.
19-year-old Trey Ogunsuyi is set to lead the line for Sunderland, while Trai Hume is expected to feature at centre-half alongside Luke O’Nien. Alan Browne, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, started in midfield for the Black Cats at York.
While Iraola struggled to get his style across to Bournemouth’s players early in his reign, he did win three of their five preseason matches. The Reds should have more quality than a Sunderland side who are light on key names, but Iraola’s open style could lead to a back-and-forth clash in Nashville.
With a high-scoring game on the cards, back Liverpool to edge this clash 3-2 at 20/1.
Liverpool v Sunderland Bet Builder Tip
Dominik Szoboszlai to score anytime
Enzo Le Fee to score anytime
Pays 16/1
Alexander Isak is joining up with Liverpool late after featuring at the World Cup, while Hugo Ekitike remains injured. Many of the Reds’ key attackers won’t feature here, but Dominik Szoboszlai should start after his impressive campaign last term.
Szoboszlai scored 13 times across all competitions, behind only Ekitike. He’s likely to be Liverpool’s biggest scoring threat, and he pairs well with Sunderland’s French midfielder Enzo Le Fee.
Le Fee scored twice against York City, and he’s their most senior player heading into this contest. The playmaker netted six goals last season, and it’s 16/1 for both Le Fee and Szoboszlai to score in this clash.
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Key Match Stats
Sunderland’s preseason campaign began with a 5-1 win over York City
The Reds conceded in five of their six preseason matches a year ago, and they’re without some key names at the back
Iraola won three of his first five preseason games with Bournemouth, despite some defensive issues
Sunderland had 12 players at this summer’s World Cup, and they also signed Belgium’s Thomas Meunier
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
