While fans in New York witnessed a less exciting game than those in Nashville, Andoni Iraola believes Liverpool were better in their 1-0 win over Wrexham.
Four days after a thrilling 4-2 victory against fellow Premier League side Sunderland, Liverpool only managed to scrape a 1-0 win over the Championship’s Wrexham.
Rio Ngumoha‘s deflected goal decided the friendly in the second half, with Iraola’s side dominating possession (61%) but firing fewer shots on goal than their opponents (nine to Wrexham’s 11).
But speaking to LFCTV post-match, the head coach explained why he felt Liverpool were “more a team” in their second warmup game of the summer.
“I think overall we were more solid than the other day,” Iraola began.
“It was a different kind of game, the pitch is quite narrow and there are not a lot of spaces. But I think we had good spells.
“And even if the other day maybe you score more goals and it looks nicer, I think today we were more a team and more collective.”
There are still over three weeks to go until the Premier League campaign begins away to a Newcastle side under new management, with four more friendlies to play including a double-header against Como on August 16.
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell and Lewis Koumas (R) after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
And with a host of key players yet to feature – including Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, who were left out after joined the USA tour later – Iraola rightly sees his setup as a work in progress.
“I think we’re still not there,” he continued.
“We are sometimes arriving late, but I think it’s a step forward, since especially the first half against Sunderland. That is more of a reference than the second half.
“Slowly, slowly I hope every game we are closer and closer. We start to add new bodies, because now we are playing with a lot of the young players.
“Slowly, slowly we have to add the senior players that are starting to train with us, so we can arrive to the beginning of the season in a good place.”
Liverpool have already returned to their base in Chicago and will now continue training before their final game of the tour against Leeds on Sunday evening.
Gravenberch, Wirtz, Isak and Jeremy Jacquet are all expected to play their first minutes of pre-season in that friendly, but perhaps more importantly, those already heavily involved should show more cohesion once again.