Liverpool XI vs Sunderland: Jacquet debut, predicted lineup, confirmed team news for pre-season friendly today

Jacquet’s availability is a boost given the Reds will be without a number of players due to lingering injury worries, while various others are yet to join up after featuring at the World Cup.Among those still carrying injuries from last season are Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL). Andoni Iraola has said none of the three are close to a comeback.So too are Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic, though they are with the squad in America and taking part in partial team training. They may be in line for minutes here, but Iraola will shy away from risking them.Eight players remain on holiday after competing at the World Cup, including finalists Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz. Alisson, Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch all have yet to join up.Summer signing Victor Munoz is on holiday after helping Spain win the World CupGettyIraola does have 31 players at his disposal here, though, and it is entirely possible that two unique teams are used in either half, starting with the stronger side.Giorgi Mamardashvili will start between the sticks. Jeremy Frimpong and Milos Kerkez will continue as first-choice full-backs, with Joe Gomez and the debutant Jacquet in the middle. With so many forwards unavailable, the front four will be something of an unknown quantity.Rio Ngumoha should get the nod off one flank, with Kieran Morrison on the other. Harvey Elliott will get a chance to impress in the No10 role, while the lack of any fit natural striker in the squad may see Federico Chiesa start through the middle.Liverpool predicted XI vs Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Woodman; Frimpong, Jacquet, Gomez, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Jones; Morrison, Elliott, Ngumoha; ChiesaRead MoreInjured: Ekitike, Bradley, LeoniUnavailable: Alisson, Gakpo, Van Dijk, Mac Allister, Isak, Gravenberch, Wirtz, MunozTime and date: Saturday, July 25, 2026Venue: Geodis Park, Nashville, TN