PreviewPromoted teams: The lowdown on Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland

The Championship produced another memorable promotion race throughout last term, with the battle to reach the top tier culminating in the final few weeks ahead of the end-of-season play-offs.

Here, we take a closer look at the three new sides Liverpool are set to meet in the league during the forthcoming campaign…

Leeds United

• Established: 1919
• Last campaign in the Premier League: 2022-23
• Head coach: Daniel Farke
• Home ground: Elland Road

Leeds return to the Premier League as Championship champions following a dramatic final day on which they secured the title, with a late winner, on goal difference over Burnley.

Head coach Daniel Farke was the mastermind behind their top-flight comeback – amassing 100 points from 46 games – and will return to the division after spending time in the Premier League previously in charge of Norwich City.

Leeds were last in the Premier League in 2022-23, when they were relegated after they had returned three years earlier for the first time since 2004.

The Whites were the Championship's top goalscorers with an impressive 95 strikes to their name, and only lost four games throughout the campaign. Striker Joel Piroe was their key man in the division, scoring 19 goals and recording seven assists.

Wide players Daniel James and Manor Solomon – who spent the season on loan from Tottenham Hotspur – were also crucial in the final third. James netted 12 times alongside nine assists, while Solomon scored 10 and assisted on 12 occasions.

In defence, they only conceded 30 goals across their league fixtures last season, another important component of their title charge.

Central defenders Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, captain Ethan Ampadu – who can also operate in midfield – alongside full-backs Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle were all vital in their success, laying Farke's foundations in defence.

Liverpool's last competitive meeting with Leeds came at Elland Road in April 2023, when the Reds were victorious by a 6-1 scoreline.

Burnley

• Established: 1882
• Last campaign in the Premier League: 2023-24
• Head coach: Scott Parker
• Home ground: Turf Moor

The Clarets made an immediate return to the Premier League as they finished runners-up to Leeds under head coach Scott Parker's guidance – the third promotion of his managerial career to date.

They were unlucky to miss out on the Championship title on goal difference, tallying up 100 points in the league and becoming the first side to hit triple figures across English football and not lift a league trophy.

Burnley's defensive record provided the platform for their promotion as they, incredibly, conceded just 16 goals in 46 matches.

Josh Brownhill was a key figure for them last season going forward, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists from midfield.

Forward and loanee Zian Fleming was also prolific, as he found the back of the net on 12 occasions alongside four assists, with fellow loanee Jaidon Anthony scoring eight and assisting seven. Both have now made their transfers permanent.

At the back, goalkeeper James Trafford was formidable between the posts, securing a host of clean sheets, alongside central-defensive pairing CJ Egan-Riley – who has now departed the club – and Maxime Esteve.

Parker has previous Premier League experience as a manager with both Fulham and AFC Bournemouth, and Burnley will begin next season on a club-record 33-game unbeaten run under his watch.

Liverpool's last competitive fixture against the Clarets came in February 2024, with the Reds prevailing 3-1.

Sunderland

• Established: 1879
• Last campaign in the Premier League: 2016-17
• Head coach: Regis Le Bris
• Home ground: Stadium of Light

The Black Cats return to the Premier League following an absence of eight years from the division.

Their relegation in 2017 followed a 10-year stay in the top flight and Sunderland dropped down to League One on their descent of the English football pyramid.

Now, though, the Championship play-off winners are back, after head coach Regis Le Bris oversaw a stunning campaign at the Stadium of Light, his youthful side surpassing expectations to beat Sheffield United at Wembley in late May.

The Frenchman arrived from Lorient in the summer of 2024 and made an immediate impact as they shot themselves into promotion contention immediately and never looked back.

Striker Wilson Isidor provided the attacking spark up front for Sunderland, netting 13 goals and giving two assists throughout the campaign. Youngster Eliezer Mayenda is also one to watch in the coming season, having tallied 10 goals and five assists.

Dan Ballard was a rock in the heart of defence for Sunderland despite battling injuries, while club captain Luke O'Nien, at 25, was the oldest player named in their starting XI for the play-off final.

Full-back Trey Hume also made a name for himself as a threat on the right flank, while loanee-turned-permanent transfer Enzo Le Fee added flair to Sunderland's play in the final third.

Liverpool's last game versus the Black Cats came in January 2017 as the two teams played out a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.

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