Liverpool’s last-minute friendly against Vauxhall Motors did not involved Andoni Iraola‘s first team, with Joe Bradshaw instead scoring for the U21s in a 1-1 draw.
When non-league side Vauxhall Motors announced a surprise behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA Training Centre, there were hopes of an early runout for the senior side.
But after almost 24 hours shrouded in secrecy, the clash played out with Rob Page’s U21s instead stepping up their preparations for the campaign.
Iraola was not present on the touchline, nor were any of his first-team players believed to be involved despite the possibility of Jeremy Jacquet and Harvey Elliott in particular taking part.
The game, which was played out over two 30-minute halves, ended in a 1-1 draw, with 18-year-old winger Bradshaw scoring the U21s’ first goal of pre-season to cancel out an early free-kick from Fin Heath.
Who played for Liverpool XI vs. Vauxhall Motors?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Liverpool's Amara Nallo during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Qaraba? FK at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Among those to take part were U21s regulars Amara Nallo, Tommy Pilling, Kornel Misciur, Kyle Kelly, Michael Laffey, Noah Adekoya and Fola Onanuga.
They were joined by a number of players stepping up from the U18s including Prince Cisse, DJ Esdaille, Alvin Ayman, Joe Upton and Oliver O’Connor.
It would suggest that those U21s who have been more involved in first-team training – including Josh Abe, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Kieran Morrison and Will Wright – were not part of Page’s squad.
With the uncertainty over Saturday’s friendly cleared up, it means Liverpool’s first game under Iraola will be the meeting with Sunderland in Nashville on July 25.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Thursday, May 14, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola poses for an official photocall ahead of his first press conference at the AXA Training Centre. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Reds will fly to the United States on Monday and are set to be based in Chicago, with a mixed squad available to the new head coach.
Along with those considered first-team staples, Iraola is set to work with a number of fringe players and youngsters, viewing it as an opportunity to assess the wider squad.
It was a busy day at the AXA on Saturday as both the U18s and U16s also hosted friendlies against their respective age groups from Crewe Alexandra.
Simon Wiles’ U18s – captained by striker Alex Inglethorpe and featuring the likes of Haydn Murray-Holme, Erik Farkas, Luca Eden and La’more Lee Forrester – lost their clash 2-0.
Meanwhile, Harrison O’Brien, Kobi Akerele and Kaylum Hardy all scored as the U16s beat their Crewe counterparts 3-1.