New Liverpool FC manager Andoni Iraola's return to New York City — where he played for New York City FC from 2015 to 2016 — offered another glimpse of the identity he hopes to bring to Anfield in his first season.
Iraola's Reds earned their second preseason win in as many matches with a late Rio Ngumoha effort securing a 1-0 victory over Wrexham AFC in front of a lively crowd of more than 40,000 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night.
For a city that has greatly embraced the global game, the occasion represented another reminder of soccer's growing footprint in New York. Liverpool supporters filled the Bronx venue with songs and scarves, while Wrexham's Hollywood-fueled rise brought its own contingent of fans eager to witness the club’s continued journey on an international stage.
The night also marked another important early step for Iraola, who has enjoyed a meteoric managerial rise after landing the Liverpool job just a decade after retiring as a player.
The Spaniard virtually pushed all the right buttons in his first appearance back at Yankee Stadium as Liverpool boss, striking a balance with his starting XI by relying on established stars like Dominik Szoboszlai while also giving youngsters such as Joshua Abe valuable experience before unleashing a sweeping wave of second-half substitutions that introduced Ngumoha, the eventual match-winner.
Having already drawn comparisons to Merseyside icon Jurgen Klopp through their shared emphasis on the gegenpressing style popularized by the German, Iraola enters the English season carrying the weight of expectations to revive the electric brand of football once synonymous with Klopp's Liverpool tenure.
He also inherits a club still searching for stability after the abrupt end to Arne Slot's reign just one year after a Premier League title triumph, leaving Iraola with the challenge of quickly earning the trust of the Kopites.
So far, though, the players appear to have embraced his methods.
Speaking with squad members expected to make key contributions this season, including Ngumoha, they highlighted two of Iraola's tactical priorities they have responded particularly well to: Improved intensity and greater freedom in possession.
"He's been very good; he's getting his points across very well. He's been top, and [his] coaching staff have been very good," the 17-year-old Ngumoha said of his new manager after the match, while also touching on Iraola's famously demanding training sessions.
"Every day we're just getting better, working harder, and training has been good and intense…every minute we're just getting fitter and fitter."
Trey Nyoni, who enjoyed a strong first half by completing 94% of his passes (59-of-63) while making three defensive contributions, agreed on the increased intensity while praising Iraola's approach to creativity in possession.
"Off the ball, if we lose it, we have to win it back straight away. I also think just the way he's allowing us to have freedom on the ball [has been good]. There's still a lot of work that needs to be done, but we're building on it every day in training and the games to see where we can improve," the young Englishman said.
Matthew Mangam
Both players also took notice of the atmosphere created by the Liverpool-heavy crowd, which reached 42,204 fans — well surpassing the 24,897 who attended the club’s 4-2 win over Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville — while acknowledging the unique challenges of playing in a baseball stadium.
"It was different, we’re playing in a baseball stadium, so it’s something that I’m not used to, but the atmosphere was really good," Nyoni shared.
"For me, I always try not to make excuses; I didn’t really [find difficulty with the pitch]. It was different, but it wasn't as bad."
"It was alright. The pitch wasn't great, but every minute counts. But a goal is a goal and when you score for Liverpool, there's no better feeling. The atmosphere was good today," Ngumoha added.
Despite the defeat, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson and goalkeeper Danny Ward — who have also enjoyed strong preseasons featuring wins over Manchester United and Leeds United — came away impressed by both the atmosphere and the challenge posed by Iraola’s Liverpool.
"It’s amazing. We went for a walk around Central Park today and there’s people in Wrexham tops and people coming up to us who have watched the documentary, so it’s been amazing. This is my first time coming here with the club, so it’s been brilliant. Hopefully they enjoyed the occasion in the end, it was two teams going at it," Ward, who made three saves on the evening, said.
"I also think they’re a bit more polite than the British crowd, which is nice," he added with a laugh.
Parkinson shared a similar sentiment.
"It was brilliant, honestly. The experience of being at the stadium tonight was one we'll always remember. It was a great atmosphere, a great arena; it was very special."
As for facing Iraola's approach, Wrexham admitted Liverpool's tenacity made life difficult. "It was the high intensity pressing," Ward said of what stood out.
"It seemed as though as soon as the ball was turned over, they were straight on you, and that’s obviously instruction from the new manager, and if they get that right, they can be really difficult to play against. It's an amazing football club, and you have to be at a certain level to be there, so this was a good test for us."
Parkinson was also impressed by Liverpool's attacking approach, saying the Reds "looked to go in behind and stretch the game."
"They did that well, and we had to be alive to those runs. I thought that in the main, we were, but obviously he's done a brilliant job at Bournemouth and he's looking to take that onto the next level with a club of Liverpool's stature,” he concluded.
Iraola ended his NYCFC playing career a decade ago, and in his return to New York as Liverpool manager, he got the backing of more than 40,000 fans, early praise from his players, and respect from the opposition, the kind of homecoming any new manager would hope for.
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