LIVERPOOL JUST DROPPED A BOMBSHELL LINEUP MOVE! Early Liverpool vs Wrexham team news: 3 World Cup stars in line to feature
Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States rolls on, and the next stop brings a fascinating clash at Yankee Stadium.
After a 4-2 win over Sunderland in Tennessee — goals from Kieran Morrison, Lewis Koumas, a thunderous strike from Dominik Szoboszlai and another from Federico Chiesa — Andoni Iraola’s side now turn their attention to Wrexham in New York City.
The two clubs have not met competitively since an FA Cup tie at the Racecourse Ground in 1978, when Kenny Dalglish scored a hat-trick.
The big question for Liverpool fans is simple: who is actually available?
Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch: Back with the squad
The most eye-catching development arrived over the weekend. After Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands were eliminated in the World Cup round of 32, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch rejoined the Liverpool group in the United States.
The trio were present for the Sunderland victory and began training with the rest of the squad on Monday. All three will be available against Wrexham on Wednesday. Given they have only just started their pre-season work, their minutes are expected to be carefully managed — but the mere fact they are back in the fold is significant. Iraola now has three high-quality World Cup performers at his disposal earlier than many expected.
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Cody Gakpo: Training on Merseyside
Virgil van Dijk
Three other Liverpool internationals have also returned to training this week, but they will not feature in the remaining US fixtures. Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Cody Gakpo have been kept at the AXA Training Centre rather than asked to cross the Atlantic again.
Iraola has been particularly careful with van Dijk, who played more minutes for club and country than any other player in Europe last season. Minutes management is the clear priority. The trio will not be seen until the Anfield friendly against Monaco on Sunday 9 August at the earliest.
Alexis Mac Allister and Víctor Muñoz: Still on holiday
Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool’s final World Cup contingent remain on holiday. Alexis Mac Allister’s Argentina and new signing Víctor Muñoz’s Spain contested the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July. Under FIFPRO rules, both players are entitled to a minimum three-week break.
Neither can return to training until Monday 10 August — the day after the Monaco game. That leaves them with only the subsequent friendly against Como at Anfield before the Premier League opener at St James’ Park against Newcastle.
Joe Gomez: New injury concern
Joe Gomez
The worst news of pre-season so far came just eight minutes into the Sunderland match. Joe Gomez went down with a muscle injury and was forced off. Iraola described it as “probably the worst news” he could have received. Gomez is expected to be sidelined for several weeks at best, further stretching an already thin defensive unit.
Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endō and Stefan Bajčetić: Still a few weeks away
Five players remain long-term absentees and are with the squad in the United States. Giovanni Leoni, who ruptured his ACL on his Liverpool debut last September, is edging closer but is not yet ready. Wataru Endō (serious ankle injury in February) and Stefan Bajčetić (still more than a year without a competitive appearance after hamstring surgery) are also progressing. Iraola is optimistic both will be available in the coming weeks.
Hugo Ekitiké and Conor Bradley: Long-term absentees
Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitiké are also part of the travelling party, but purely for rehabilitation. Both suffered serious knee injuries earlier this year (January and April respectively) and remain months away from a return. In Ekitiké’s case, Iraola may effectively have to plan without him for most of the season.
Hugo ekitike
Jérémy Jacquet: Not yet ready
New signing Jérémy Jacquet has not played since a serious shoulder injury against Lens in February. He was not involved against Sunderland and will miss the Wrexham game, though Iraola has confirmed he should be available for the Leeds United fixture in Chicago.
Academy players set for more minutes
With senior defensive options limited, 18-year-olds Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe are expected to start as the centre-back pairing against Wrexham. James McConnell, Kieran Morrison and Will Wright all started against Sunderland, while Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas, Calum Scanlon, Luke Chambers and Joshua Abe featured from the bench.
Iraola made 11 substitutions in Tennessee and is likely to rotate heavily again in New York, giving the younger players further opportunities before the side heads to Soldier Field for the Leeds game.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Wrexham
Giorgi Mamardashvili
Jeremie Frimpong, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Miloš Kerkez
Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai
Federico Chiesa, Will Hughes, Rio Ngumoha
The return of Isak, Wirtz and Gravenberch is the clear headline. Even if their involvement is limited, having three proven performers back in the fold so soon after the World Cup changes the complexion of Liverpool’s pre-season. Iraola now has more options than he did a few days ago — and the Reds’ remaining fixtures in the United States suddenly look a little more intriguing.
