Overview
Liverpool enters a friendly match with Wrexham with the goal of extending a favorable start under coach Andoni Iraola. However, the Welsh representative is predicted to bring a not-so-easy challenge after an impressive pre-season series of matches.
Iraola had a successful debut when helping Liverpool defeat Sunderland 4-2. Kieran Morrison opened the score very early, but the defense with many young players caused The Kop to be reversed by the opponent right at the beginning of the second half.
However, the appearance of Dominik Szoboszlai changed the situation. The Hungarian midfielder scored the equalizer with a beautiful volley before Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas scored, helping Liverpool complete the comeback.
The first victory brings many positive signs for Iraola, especially the performance of Morrison and Koumas in the context that Liverpool is still looking for options to strengthen the attack.
In the match against Wrexham, the Anfield home team will have the services of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch after this trio returned from the post-World Cup 2026 break. All three are likely to have their first minutes of play under Iraola.
Meanwhile, Wrexham entered the match with great confidence. Coach Phil Parkinson's team has just had a successful 2025-2026 season when approaching the Championship play-off spot and continuing to maintain positive form in the summer friendly matches.
The Welsh representative made a splash when defeating Manchester United 1-0 thanks to Sam Smith's goal, before overcoming Leeds United with a score of 3-2 in an emotional match.
Those results show that Wrexham is fully capable of competing with opponents from the Premier League. Solid defense, with 2 clean sheets in the last three appearances, further helps Parkinson's team become more confident.
In the opposite direction, Liverpool still does not have enough experienced central defenders and has revealed many gaps in the match against Sunderland. This may be a weakness for Wrexham to exploit.
Personnel situation
Liverpool continues to be without the services of long-term injured players including Hugo Ekitike (Achilles tendon), Wataru Endo (ankle), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (knee).
Iraola's personnel difficulties are also increasing as Joe Gomez is likely not to recover in time, while center-back Jeremy Jacquet will also be given rest.
In that context, two young players Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye are expected to pair up in the center of the defense. Milos Kerkez and Calvin Ramsay are likely to take on the two wings, in which Ramsay has just made his mark with an assist in the victory against Sunderland.
On the Wrexham side, Kieffer Moore is likely to lead the attack, with support from Bailey Cadamarteri and Nathan Broadhead.
Meanwhile, Zak Vyner, Dominic Hyam and Lewis Brunt are expected to form a three-man defense in front of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo's goal.
Expected lineup:
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Ramsay, Ndukwe, Ndiaye, Kerkez, Nyoni, Jones, Morrison, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha, Koumas.
Wrexham: Okonkwo, Vyner, Hyam, Brunt, A. James, O'Brien, M. James, Thomason, Cadamarteri, Broadhead, Moore.
The match between Liverpool and Wrexham takes place at 6:30 a.m. on July 30 (Vietnam time).
