Liverpool Fight Back to Beat Sunderland 4-2 in Iraola's First Game

Liverpool faced Sunderland in a football friendly at GEODIS Park in the United States at 6:00 a.m. Beijing time on July 26. The Reds came from behind to win 4-2, giving new head coach Iraola a victory on his managerial debut.

Liverpool struck first after just 11 minutes. Elliott played a diagonal ball into the penalty area from the right side near the edge of the box, and Morrison cut inside before finishing low to make it 1-0. Sunderland responded in the 27th minute when they intercepted a pass in Liverpool's defensive third, allowing Le Fée to cut inside through the middle and score a spectacular long-range goal for 1-1.

Sunderland went ahead three minutes after the restart following another Liverpool error at the back. Frimpong was dispossessed, Jones threaded a pass through the middle, and Tutierov finished from near the penalty spot to make it 2-1. Liverpool replied in the 55th minute as Nyoni reached the byline on the left and pulled the ball back. Sunderland failed to clear, and Szoboszlai fired home from the edge of the area to level the score at 2-2.

Liverpool completed the turnaround in the 71st minute. Ramsey delivered a diagonal cross from the right, and Chiesa blasted in from a tight angle to put the Reds 3-2 ahead. Szoboszlai then launched a counterattack with a diagonal pass from the right in the 84th minute, before Koumas cut past a defender near the penalty spot and finished to seal the 4-2 victory.

Liverpool defender Gomez had earlier felt discomfort without contact and was substituted after only nine minutes. In the 31st minute, Frimpong lost possession inside the penalty area, but Mamardashvili saved Isidor's shot before Rigg's follow-up effort from distance was blocked. Morrison also went close in the 56th minute, advancing down the right and sending a low shot narrowly wide of the far post from a tight angle.

Liverpool's strong second-half display ultimately secured the comeback victory and gave them an encouraging start to their preparations for the new season.