Slot brings his Liverpool squad stateside for a proper Test — capital T — against a Sunderland side that scrapped its way back into the Premier League last season. This isn't your grandad's pre-season kickabout. The PL Summer Series has real stakes now: bragging rights, tactical reps, and a first look at new signings before the August grind kicks in.
Liverpool's summer has been quiet by their standards. A couple of smart midfield additions, no blockbuster exits, and a clear message from the training ground: the high press isn't going anywhere. Expect 60+ minutes of first-teamers before the kids get a run.
Sunderland, meanwhile, arrive in Nashville with something to prove. Promotion was hard-earned, and Régis Le Bris knows his squad needs every competitive minute against elite opposition before the real thing starts. The Black Cats won't park the bus — they'll want to see if their system holds up against a Champions League-caliber press.
GEODIS Park is sold out. Nashville's soccer appetite has been building for years, and Liverpool on American soil always draws. The atmosphere should be electric, even if both managers treat this as a glorified training exercise.
| Date | Competition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 2025 | Premier League | Anfield | 1-1 |
| Mar 11, 2000 | Premier League | Anfield | 1-1 |
| Aug 24, 1996 | Premier League | Anfield | 0-0 |
| Mar 16, 1991 | First Division | Anfield | 2-1 |
| Apr 30, 1960 | Second Division | Anfield | 3-0 |
| Jan 3, 1959 | Second Division | Anfield | 3-1 |
Liverpool have never lost at home to Sunderland across 9 meetings. The Black Cats have managed draws in 3 of the last 4, including last season's gritty 1-1 at Anfield where Sunderland held on with 28% possession.
Ended the 2025/26 season strong: Champions League semi-finalists, third-place PL finish. Salah topped the scoring charts again, and the Gakpo-Núñez partnership finally started clicking in the final two months. Only blemish was a 2-2 draw at Villa Park where they conceded late.
Championship promotion was sealed with two games to spare. Jobe Bellingham emerged as the midfield engine, and Jack Clarke's 18-goal season earned him a new contract. Sunderland's away form was their weakness — 7 losses on the road — a stat Le Bris needs to fix before August.
Slot will likely rotate heavily at 60'. Expect Elliott, Jones, and Quansah to get minutes. Sunderland's starting XI is closer to what we'll see on opening day — Le Bris doesn't have Liverpool's depth.
High line, heavy press, quick transitions. Slot's system is basically Klopp 2.0 — slightly more patient in build-up but the same relentless counter-press when possession is lost. Full-backs will push high, forcing Sunderland's wide players to track back. Key question: can the midfield three control the tempo without a dedicated holding player?
Compact 4-2-3-1 out of possession, morphing into a 4-3-3 on the counter. Neil and Bellingham sit deep to protect the back four, while Clarke and Roberts provide the outlet pace. Sunderland's best chance is set pieces — they scored 14 from dead balls in the Championship last season, second-most in the league.
| 🇺🇸 USA | ESPN+, NBC Sports App |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Sky Sports Premier League |
| 🌍 International | PL Summer Series official stream |
| ⏰ Kickoff | 17:00 CDT / 22:00 UTC |
| 🏟 Venue | GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN |