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Liverpool FC Pre-Season## Liverpool's pre-season plans have been forced to change, as the Reds' travel arrangements were pushed into chaos ahead of the second friendly match of the American tour.
Luke Thrower Trends Writer
22:45, 28 Jul 2026Updated 22:55, 28 Jul 2026
Andoni Iraola of Liverpool yells during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC
Liverpool's pre-season plans have been impacted by adverse weather conditions(Image: (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images))
Liverpool's pre-season preparations have been disrupted, as adverse weather conditions have canceled the team's flight from Chicago to New York ahead of a friendly match on Wednesday.
The Reds have been based in Illinois for their pre-season tour of America, which has already seen the team take on Sunderland in a friendly encounter, which ended in a 4-2 triumph for the Merseyside outfit.
Next up on the agenda is a clash with Championship outfit Wrexham in New York at Yankee Stadium, with Andoni Iraola set to get another in-depth look at his team as some key stars make a return to action.
However, the flight cancellation from Chicago to New York throws up some chaos for Liverpool in trying to get to New York for that match, adding some problems to the preparation for another important friendly encounter.
It remains to be seen when the players and staff can make it over to New York for the match, with a potential quick turnaround from traveling to playing on the way.
For Iraola, it's an issue he would've hoped to avoid, but one that will test him once again with the uncertainties that life as a manager can bring up.
Whether it's unexpected injuries or the impact of the weather, the ability to be adaptable is one that the new head coach will need in the role moving forward as preparations ramp up for his first match in charge in the Premier League.
The Spaniard heads into the second pre-season match with an opportunity to get a closer look at some of his players, with the roster still featuring a mixture of first-team stars and academy prospects.
Andoni Iraola head coach of Liverpool shakes hands with Milos Kerkez #6 at the end of of the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC
Milos Kerkez has discussed Andoni Iraola's appointment as Liverpool manager(Image: (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images))
There have been returns for some key options, such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch, who could all feature against Wrexham after coming back from the World Cup break.
There will be no Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, or Alisson Becker, however, as they return to training back in Merseyside for their conditioning, while the duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz will get longer off this summer following a deep run to the final of the World Cup.
Pre-season has given the manager a glimpse into life in the dugout for the Reds, while fans have also got a first look at what could be ahead under his guidance.
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