Liverpool to meet Sunderland in opening pre-season friendly

Sunderland, under the management of Andoni Iraola, will face Liverpool in the clubs' first pre-season friendly ahead of the 2026-27 season. The fixture represents the opening warm-up match between the two sides as they prepare for the coming campaign.

The meeting has been scheduled as the initial friendly encounter for both clubs in the run-up to the 2026-27 season. Sunderland enter the fixture led by Andoni Iraola. Liverpool will oppose them in what is designated a pre-season friendly between the teams.

Andoni Iraola is identified as Sunderland’s manager for this match. His presence at the helm of Sunderland is a stated detail in the announcement of the fixture. The managerial listing underscores Sunderland’s leadership heading into the pre-season period.

Liverpool are named as Sunderland’s opponents for the opening pre-season clash of the upcoming campaign. The fixture is described as a friendly contest rather than a competitive league or cup match. That classification situates the game within the clubs’ preparatory schedules for 2026-27.

Both clubs are using this match as the first listed pre-season engagement for the 2026-27 season. The fixture is portrayed in official listings as the teams’ first warm-up meeting ahead of competitive action. No additional competitive details have been specified beyond its status as a friendly.

The encounter between Liverpool and Sunderland marks the first pre-season clash for the 2026-27 season for both sides. Sunderland are led by Andoni Iraola for this fixture. Further particulars about timing, venue and broadcast have not been detailed in the initial announcement.