Wrexham to face Liverpool in pre-season friendly at Yankee Stadium

Ryan Reynolds has seen Wrexham climb from the National League to the Championship in five years since he and Rob McElhenney bought the club. Photograph: Cody Froggatt/PA

Club Have Been Promoted Three Times in Four Years

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds described it as a "punch-me moment" — his club facing Liverpool in a pre-season friendly at Yankee Stadium, just five years after he and Rob McElhenney (now known as Rob Mac) completed their takeover of a team languishing in the National League. The ultimate prize would be playing Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League during the 2027-28 season, and manager Phil Parkinson acknowledges the expectation on Wrexham to continue their remarkable ascent through the divisions next season.

Parkinson's side face Liverpool in the Bronx on Wednesday, buoyed by pre-season victories over Manchester United and Leeds, and having moved past the disappointment of missing out on the Championship playoffs on the final day of last season. While the near-miss was undoubtedly a setback to the club's ambitious vision, Parkinson insists that finishing seventh in the Championship at the first attempt is an achievement that should not be underestimated.

Phil Parkinson's Side Missed Out on Playoffs in 2026

The Wrexham manager said: "If we're honest, to say five years down the line we'd have finished seventh in the Championship we would have said that was going to take some going. To get three promotions back-to-back-to-back is unheralded. Even though there's always been ambition within the club and we've had resources, to take the club from the National League to seventh in the Championship is a lot of big steps and particularly the one last year. League One to the Championship is a huge step.

"Of course we would have loved to have got in the playoffs but I think the staff and the players should be really very proud of their achievements because that was a tough ask, especially with making so many changes."

Wrexham are among the favourites for promotion next season but are the only Championship club yet to make a signing — though a deal for Crystal Palace full-back Danny Imray is close. They will not be the only well-funded team with promotion ambitions, given the parachute payments available to relegated West Ham, Burnley, and Wolves.

Parkinson added: "I think the division is going to be stronger this season with the teams coming down. We've got work to do within the squad to make us competitive again. We're close to one signing but we need several more before the window closes. We have to be patient and we will be, but the squad's not where we want it to be, to be competitive to meet the demands of a Championship season.

"It is going to be a tough second season, we know that, but we feel there is more to come from the existing group. It was difficult last season with a lot of players coming in later and having to relocate to the area and settle as the season started, but they were great for us and I feel there is more to come this season."

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