Liverpool continued their impressive start under new head coach Andoni Iraola, defeating Wrexham 1-0 at New York’s iconic Yankee Stadium despite a disrupted build-up to the pre-season friendly.
Teenage winger Rio Ngumoha emerged as the match-winner, scoring in the 75th minute when his shot took a deflection off Wrexham defender Lewis Brunt and looped into the net before a crowd of 42,204.
The victory marked Liverpool’s second successive pre-season win under Iraola, who has enjoyed a positive start since taking charge of the Reds this summer.
The occasion also attracted plenty of celebrity attention, with Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in attendance. Reynolds described the fixture as a “pinch-me moment” before kick-off, although the contest itself offered few clear-cut chances in the famous baseball venue.
Liverpool’s preparations were far from ideal after poor weather disrupted their travel plans. The squad’s flight from Chicago was cancelled while the players and staff were already on the tarmac awaiting departure, forcing them to travel to New York on the day of the match.
The Reds only arrived at their Midtown Manhattan hotel around midday before returning to Chicago immediately after the game.
Iraola was also without several key first-team players. New signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, along with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, remained at Liverpool’s training base as they continue to build fitness following their post-World Cup breaks.
Defender Joe Gomez missed the game through injury, while forward Federico Chiesa was unavailable due to illness, leaving Iraola with little option but to field another youthful lineup.
Six members of Liverpool’s starting XI were yet to make a Premier League appearance, while highly rated youngster Joshua Abe was handed another opportunity to impress as the club continued its focus on developing emerging talent during the pre-season tour.
Although the performance lacked fluency at times, Liverpool once again showed encouraging signs under Iraola, with Ngumoha’s decisive goal ensuring the Reds maintained their perfect start to preparations for the 2026/27 campaign.
