Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States continues. On Saturday evening, the Reds beat Sunderland 4-2 in Tennessee; youngsters Kieran Morrison and Lewis Koumas were on target, Dominik Szoboszlai lashed home a screamer while Federico Chiesa was the other scorer.
Next weekend, Andoni Iraola's team will take on Leeds United in Illinois but, before then, the Reds will be in New York City for a meeting with one of America's most-popular clubs Wrexham. The pair have not met in a competitive fixture since an FA Cup tie at the Racecourse in 1978, with Kenny Dalglish scoring a hat-trick back then. As the pair prepare to clash at Yankee Stadium, who will be available to Iraola, and who won't be?
Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch: Back with the squad
Ryan, Flo and Alex back with the group 🙌 pic.twitter.com/KHq2r1wzqO
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 26, 2026
After Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands were eliminated from the World Cup in the round of 32, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch have now joined up with the Liverpool squad in the United States. The trio were in attendance at Saturday's win over Sunderland, beginning training with the rest of the group on Monday. Thus, all three will be available on Wednesday albeit, having only just begun pre-season preparations, their minutes are, at most, likely to be limited.
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Cody Gakpo: Training on Merseyside

Three more Liverpool World Cup representatives have also returned to training this week, but will not be available for the two remaining fixtures stateside. Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Cody Gakpo have not been asked to travel back across the Atlantic, instead easing their way into pre-season at AXA Training Centre this week. In van Dijk's case especially, Iraola referenced minutes management as the reason behind this, given that the centre-back played more minutes for club and country than anyone else in Europe last season. Thus, this trio won't be seen until the Anfield clash with Monaco on Sunday 9 August, at the earliest.
Alexis Mac Allister and Víctor Muñoz: Still on holiday

Liverpool's final World Cup duo are on holiday. Alexis Mac Allister's Argentina and new signing Víctor Muñoz's Spain met in the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July, massively impacting upon their pre-season schedule. FIFPRO rules dictate that all players are entitled to have three weeks holiday, at a minimum. Thus, neither can return to training until Monday 10 August, the day after the Monaco fixture, which would give them only the clash with Como at Anfield in which to feature before the serious business begins at St James' Park against Newcastle.
Joe Gomez: New injury concern

Just eight minutes into the Reds' first pre-season fixture of the summer, Joe Gomez sat down on the turf and had to be withdrawn due to a muscle injury. Iraola described this as "probably the worst news" he could have received, meaning Gomez will likely spend weeks, at best, on the sidelines.
Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endō and Stefan Bajčetić: Still a few weeks away
Conor Bradley right-back masterclass 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/QtJXSZ9ceA
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 6, 2025
Liverpool currently have five players injured long-term, all of whom are with the squad in the United States, three of which are close to a return. Giovanni Leoni ruptured his ACL during his Liverpool debut last September, and is edging closer to being available, but is not yet. Meantime, Wataru Endō suffered a serious ankle injury in February, while it is over a year since Stefan Bajčetić played a competitive game following hamstring surgery. Nevertheless, Iraola is optimistic that both will be available in the coming weeks.
Hugo Ekitiké and Conor Bradley: Long-term absentees

Lastly, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitkié are also part of the traveling party in America, but only to continue their rehabilitation. The pair suffered long-term knee injuries in January and April respectively, so are both still a few months away from returning to action. In Ekitiké's case, Iraola should probably plan for pretty much the entire season without him.
Jérémy Jacquet: Not yet ready
New signing Jérémy Jacquet has not seen any action since suffering a serious shoulder injury against Lens in February. The Frenchman therefore was not involved against Sunderland at the weekend, with Iraola confirming he won't feature against Wrexham either, but he will be available for the Leeds game in Chicago.
Which academy players are likely to feature vs Wrexham?
Considering the lack of defensive options, 18 years olds Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe are set to be the starting centre-back pairing on Wednesday. Meantime, James McConnell, Kieran Morrison and Will Wright all started against Sunderland, with Trey Nyoni, scorer Lewis Koumas, Calum Scanlon, Luke Chambers and Joshua Abe all coming off the bench.
It total, Iraola made 11 substitutions, likely to repeat this in New York City, so all of these youngsters will be hopeful of seeing more minutes in the Bronx, and then again at Soldier Field on Sunday.
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.
