Liverpool extended their unbeaten record in pre-season action, securing a 1-0 victory over Wrexham in New York as manager Andoni Iraola notched his second consecutive win in competitive action. The Reds had previously defeated Sunderland in their opening fixture, establishing an early foundation for the newly appointed manager’s tactical approach.
The match saw Liverpool navigate a challenging encounter against an opponent who had recently achieved notable victories over Manchester United and Leeds. Despite Wrexham’s quality, Liverpool’s defense remained intact throughout the contest. A reshuffle of the defensive line became necessary after Joe Gomez sustained an injury in the Sunderland match, with captain Dominik Szoboszlai shifting to centre-back. In the opening half, Liverpool created their clearest opportunity when Szoboszlai set up Harvey Elliott, who subsequently found Josh Abe for a chance that opponent goalkeeper Danny Ward successfully denied.
The breakthrough arrived in the second half following tactical adjustments by Iraola. The introduction of young talent Rio Ngumoha proved decisive, as the teenage player penetrated Wrexham’s defensive shape and saw his shot deflect past Ward approximately 15 minutes from the final whistle. Wrexham mounted a response through striker Kieffer Moore, who failed to convert a presentable opportunity in the match’s closing stages, but Liverpool secured the result to remain undefeated during the American tour.
Looking ahead, Iraola indicated plans to integrate more senior players into the squad rotation for their final American fixture against Leeds on Sunday in Chicago. Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexander Isak—all arriving late to pre-season following early World Cup eliminations—are expected to feature alongside recent signing Jeremy Jacquet, subject to fitness management protocols.
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