Ngumoha’s Deflected Strike Seals Liverpool’s Pre-Season Win Over Wrexham in Italy
Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Wrexham in their pre-season friendly held in Italy, with a deflected second-half strike from Rio Ngumoha proving to be the difference. The match, played at a neutral venue, saw the Reds field a mix of first-team regulars and younger talents as they continue their preparations for the upcoming season. Ngumoha, who came on as a half-time substitute, saw his shot deflect off Wrexham’s Lewis Brunt and into the net with 15 minutes remaining, ensuring a hard-fought win for Andoni Iraola’s side.
Despite the victory, Liverpool struggled to impose themselves against their Championship opponents for large periods of the game. The Reds were without several key players, including Alexis Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Cody Gakpo, who are still recovering from their post-World Cup 2026 exertions. However, there was positive news as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch have returned from their breaks and are expected to feature in upcoming friendlies. Iraola acknowledged the team’s performance, stating, “I thought we acquitted ourselves quite well for the majority of the game. This is our first pre-season together essentially.”
The match offered valuable minutes for Liverpool’s squad as they build fitness and cohesion ahead of the new campaign. The 25-year-old midfielder, who will play an important role both in midfield and attack, was among those to impress. Fans can catch highlights and a full replay of the match on All Red Video, which is available to All Red Full and Video members. The victory marks Liverpool’s second pre-season win this summer, following their earlier triumph over a Championship side at New York’s Yankee Stadium.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will continue their pre-season tour with more fixtures as they integrate returning stars and fine-tune tactics. The burning question remains how the team will adapt without their World Cup participants, but the depth shown against Wrexham offers encouragement. With Ngumoha’s decisive contribution and the return of key players, the Reds are steadily building momentum for the challenges ahead.
Shimanta Das 
