Experimental Liverpool down Wrexham thanks to Rio Ngumoha’s winner

Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Wrexham in a pre-season friendly at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. The match remained a tight affair with limited scoring opportunities for either side throughout the contest. Rio Ngumoha, a second-half substitute, broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when his strike deflected off Wrexham defender Lewis Brunt into the net.

Manager Andoni Iraola fielded an experimental lineup, with six players lacking prior Premier League experience. The team faced significant logistical challenges, arriving in New York only hours before kickoff due to flight cancellations from Chicago. Despite these hurdles, the young squad held firm against a more experienced Wrexham team that showed a physical edge in the first half.

Joshua Abe, the highly-rated 16-year-old winger, made his first senior start for Liverpool. He came close to scoring early in the match when released by Harvey Elliott, but Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward made an important save to deny him. Other chances remained few and far between as both sides struggled to find a rhythm on the iconic baseball diamond.

Wrexham, currently preparing for their upcoming Carabao Cup campaign, tested Liverpool late in the game. Substitutes Nathan Broadhead, Lewis Brunt, and Kieffer Moore all threatened the goal, but Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili managed to keep the clean sheet intact. The result marks the second win in two games for Iraola’s side during their pre-season tour.

Following the match, the Liverpool squad prepared for an immediate return to their Chicago training base. The club continues to evaluate its youth prospects as they refine the roster ahead of the new season. For Wrexham, the focus now turns toward their competitive opener against Middlesbrough next week.