Andoni Iraola began his tenure as Liverpool head coach with a 4-2 victory over Sunderland in Nashville, the opening fixture of the club's summer tour of the United States.

The former Bournemouth manager, who took over from Arne Slot at Anfield in June, will have taken plenty of encouragement from a second-half fightback that saw his side overturn a 2-1 deficit to run out comfortable winners.

Morrison fires the Iraola era's opening goal

Liverpool made a bright start, with young midfielder Kieran Morrison breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute after a slick team move involving James McConnell, Leo Ngumoha, and Harvey Elliott — the latter threading a pass into Morrison's path on the right side of the box, and the youngster converting with a low finish into the bottom corner.

Sunderland struck back just before the half-hour mark when McConnell surrendered possession inside Liverpool's half, allowing Enzo Le Fee to advance and unleash a thunderous strike from 25 yards that flew past goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to level the contest.

Second-half turnaround seals the win

Iraola and his counterpart Regis le Bris both rang the changes at the break, and it was Sunderland who drew first blood in the second half. Jeremie Frimpong lost the ball in a dangerous position, and half-time substitute Tuterov coolly slotted home to give the Black Cats a 2-1 lead in the 49th minute.

Liverpool's response was immediate and spectacular. Dominik Szoboszlai collected a clearance on the left edge of the area and unleashed an unstoppable volley to restore parity in the 56th minute — a finish worthy of any stage.

The Reds completed their comeback in the 72nd minute when Aaron Ramsey picked out Federico Chiesa in the box and, despite the narrow angle and the presence of the onrushing goalkeeper Moore, the Italian substitute guided the ball into the net.

Lewis Koumas wrapped things up in the 85th minute, benefiting from a Sunderland giveaway before Szoboszlai played him through and the substitute finished with composure to make it 4-2.

Gomez injury clouds the occasion

The one dark cloud over an otherwise encouraging afternoon was the early departure of stand-in captain Joe Gomez, who limped off in just the 8th minute with what appeared to be a muscle injury. Youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe came on as his replacement at centre-back.

Gomez's fitness record at Anfield has been troubling throughout his career, and the concern is amplified by the fact that Ibrahima Konate departed the club on a free transfer at the end of last season. Defenders Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet were also absent in Nashville through injury, with Leoni still recovering from the ACL injury he suffered on his Liverpool debut last September and Jacquet managing a minor knock after only recently returning from a shoulder problem.

Iraola's verdict