The Sensible Man's Review of Liverpool's 1-0 Win Over Wrexham
A scrappy contest on a difficult surface revealed far more about Liverpool's emerging talent and Andoni Iraola's early ideas than the final score ever could.
I will admit it straight away. There was absolutely no chance I was staying up until 2.30am for a pre season friendly. That is well beyond my bedtime on a school night. Instead, the alarm went off at 6am, the coffee was poured and Liverpool’s 1,0 victory over Wrexham became breakfast viewing.
Having watched it back in full, one thing quickly became clear. The result was almost irrelevant.
This was never going to be a classic. The surface made sure of that. It looked slow, heavy and uneven, draining any rhythm from the game before either side had the opportunity to establish one. Every attack felt laboured, every passing move required an extra touch, and neither team was ever likely to produce flowing football in those conditions.
That does not mean the game lacked value.
Youngsters Continue to Answer Questions
Pre season is rarely about performances in isolation. It is about identifying who is adapting to new demands, who looks comfortable stepping up and who is beginning to convince the manager that they deserve to stay around the first team.
For me, Trey Nyoni once again enhanced his growing reputation.
There is a calmness to everything he does that belies his age. He constantly shows for the ball, he rarely looks rushed and he already appears to understand exactly what Andoni Iraola wants from his midfielders. Progressive passing, intelligent positioning and composure under pressure all stood out again.
Alongside him, Ifeanyi Ndukwe continued to impress. There is an authority to his defending that you simply cannot teach. His physical presence immediately catches the eye, but it is his composure that leaves the stronger impression.
Luke Chambers deserves similar praise. His versatility alone gives him value, but his defensive display and quality in possession suggested there is much more to him than simply being someone who can cover two positions.
Perspective Needed Around Ngumoha
Rio Ngumoha will probably dominate the post match debate.
Some supporters felt his experiment on the right wing simply did not work. Others were encouraged that Liverpool are already exploring ways of broadening his game should Bradley Barcola arrive and reshape the attacking options.
The truth probably sits somewhere in the middle.
It certainly was not Ngumoha’s sharpest display. Operating from the right looked less natural and he was often crowded out by defenders. Even so, writing off the experiment after 45 minutes feels premature. Young players only become complete footballers by being exposed to unfamiliar situations and different tactical demands.
He still produced the decisive moment. Yes, the finish took a significant deflection, but he placed himself in the position to make something happen.
Development has never been a straight line.
Szoboszlai Sets the Standard
If one player looked comfortably above the level of the occasion, it was Dominik Szoboszlai.
His intensity never dipped, his pressing remained relentless and his quality on the ball continually lifted Liverpool whenever the game threatened to drift. Even in a match filled with academy players and unfamiliar combinations, he looked like the footballer setting the tempo and the standards around him.
Those are qualities every successful side needs, particularly during periods of transition.
Forget the Score, Watch the Progress
Pre season always encourages overreaction.
One outstanding performance becomes proof that someone should start the opening Premier League match. One quiet outing suddenly becomes evidence that another player has no future.
I prefer looking for patterns.
Liverpool looked more organised without the ball than they did in their opening friendly. The pressing already appears more coordinated. Several academy players continue to demonstrate they belong around the first team environment, and there remains plenty of quality still to return over the coming days.
It was hardly a memorable spectacle and nobody will be replaying this match for entertainment.
As an early checkpoint in Andoni Iraola’s evolution of this Liverpool side, however, it offered enough encouragement to make that 6am alarm feel worthwhile.