Liverpool kept their flawless start to the Andoni Iraola era alive with a narrow 1‑0 triumph over Wrexham in their second friendly of the 2026/27 pre‑season campaign. The match, staged at New York’s iconic Yankee Stadium, came after the Reds had already dispatched Sunderland in Nashville, and it offered a stern test against a Wrexham side that had recently upset both Manchester United and Leeds United. The game opened with Liverpool missing a key defensive figure when Joe Gomez was forced off after a challenge against Sunderland.
In response, stand‑in captain Dominik Szoboszlai was deployed as a makeshift centre‑back. Despite the positional shift, Szoboszlai remained influential in attack, delivering a precise pass to Harvey Elliott in the first half.
Elliott’s quick feet set up Josh Abe, whose shot was comfortably saved by former Liverpool keeper Danny Ward, who now guards the Wrexham goal. The first half was largely a battle of tactics, with both teams probing for space on a relatively narrow pitch. Liverpool’s midfield tried to impose their passing rhythm, while Wrexham’s disciplined back line kept the visitors at bay. As the half‑time whistle blew, Iraola opted for a quartet of changes, most notably introducing teenage prodigy Rio Ngumoha.
The young striker immediately injected energy, charging at the heart of the Wrexham defence and creating a handful of dangerous moments. It was Ngumoha’s persistence that paid off in the 75th minute. After a swift combination on the left flank, the ball found his feet inside the box.
He struck a low effort that glanced off a defender and looped past the bewildered Danny Ward into the net, delivering the sole goal of the encounter. The stadium erupted as the Reds celebrated a vital lead with only fifteen minutes remaining.
Wrexham responded with urgency. Striker Kieffer Moore found himself in a promising position late in the game, but his attempt from close range was mishit, sending the ball harmlessly over the bar. Liverpool held firm, sealing a second consecutive win on American soil. Following the match, the squad prepared to head to Chicago for a final friendly against Leeds United on Sunday.
That fixture promises to showcase several high‑profile signings who have been training in the United States after early exits from the World Cup. Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexander Isak – all expected to make their first pre‑season appearances for Liverpool – will join the likes of new recruit Jeremy Jacquet. In a post‑match interview, Iraola was candid about the progress his side has made and the work that still lies ahead.
"Overall we were more solid than the other day," he said. "The pitch here is narrow and limits the space we usually enjoy, but we had good spells of play. Even if the Sunderland game looked prettier with more goals, today we felt more like a collective unit." He added that the team is still adapting to his tactical philosophy.
"We’re not there yet. Sometimes we arrive too late into the attacking third, but it’s a step forward, especially compared with the first half against Sunderland. The second half showed improvement.
Slowly, I hope each game we get closer to the identity I want. We’re integrating a lot of young players now, and the senior players who have just started training with us need time to settle.
By the start of the season we want to be in a good place." When asked about the upcoming Leeds clash, Iraola confirmed his intention to give the new signings meaningful minutes. "My idea is for Ryan, for Florian, for Alex and even Jacquet to have their first minutes against Leeds. We'll see how many minutes they can play, but we need to integrate the senior players gradually. They should be ready for the weekend to get their first minutes," he explained.
The schedule for the remainder of Liverpool’s U.S. tour is as follows: August 2 – Liverpool vs Leeds in Chicago at 9 pm, August 9 – Liverpool vs Monaco back at Anfield at 2.30 pm, and August 16 – Liverpool vs Como at Anfield at 6 pm. Fans are also invited to take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available.
Overall, the victory over Wrexham not only extended Liverpool’s unbeaten pre‑season record in the United States but also offered a glimpse of Iraola’s evolving squad. The blend of youthful exuberance from players like Ngumoha and the impending arrival of established internationals suggests a dynamic, adaptable team poised to challenge for honours in the upcoming season.
The next few weeks will be crucial as the manager fine‑tunes his tactics, builds cohesion, and prepares the squad for the rigours of Premier League football.