Wrexham face Liverpool in friendly, still among promotion favorites

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 simply Rob Mac) completed their takeover of a club languishing in the National League. The ultimate blow would be playing Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League in 2027-28, and manager Phil Parkinson acknowledges the expectation on Wrexham to complete their remarkable rise through the divisions next season.

Parkinson's side face Liverpool with confidence in the Bronx on Wednesday, having already defeated Manchester United and Leeds in pre-season. They have moved on from the anguish of missing out on the Championship playoffs on the final day of last season. While the near-miss was undoubtedly a setback to the ambitious club's grand vision, Parkinson insists that finishing seventh in the Championship at the first time of asking was an accomplishment that should not be dismissed lightly.

Parkinson: 'A Lot of Big Steps'

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.

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"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."

Transfer Activity and Season Outlook

Wrexham are among the favourites for promotion next season but are the only Championship club not to have made 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.

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"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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