PITTSBURGH, PA - The wait is over for Liverpool supporters. Andoni Iraola is about to unleash his marquee signings together for the first time. Alexander Isak. Florian Wirtz. Both in the starting XI. Against Wrexham. A pre-season friendly that suddenly carries real weight. Welcome to July 28, 2026, where Liverpool’s new era takes its first meaningful shape under the Acrisure Stadium lights.
This predicted lineup has dominated conversations on Merseyside. And for good reason. It could be a nightmare for Phil Parkinson’s League One side.
Iraola’s Full-Strength Statement: Isak and Wirtz Headline Wrexham Test
Why Iraola Risks the Big Guns Against League One Wrexham
Pre-season friendly. League One opposition. The Community Shield on the horizon. Most managers would roll out the youngsters, bank some minutes, and keep the stars under wraps. Not Iraola. The Basque manager is sending a clear message to his squad and the league: this Liverpool team doesn’t ease into anything.
Isak, signed for £85 million from Newcastle in June, and Wirtz, a £100 million arrival from Leverkusen, have completed a week of sharp training in the States. Iraola wants chemistry, not caution. “We need to see the connections live,” he said in yesterday’s press conference. “The pitch is the truth.” And the truth is, Wrexham’s high press caused chaos against Chelsea in their previous friendly. Iraola knows his new front line must solve problems now - not in mid-September.
There’s also the Hollywood factor. The celebrity owners have turned this into a global event. The stands will be packed with neutrals. Cameras everywhere. Iraola wants to showcase what this Liverpool looks like. You don’t hide Isak and Wirtz in a showcase.
The Tactical Shift: How Wirtz Slots into the No. 10 Role
This is the most intriguing subplot. For two years, Liverpool fans wondered who would take over the creative duties behind the striker. Dominik Szoboszlai had flashes, but consistency never stuck. Now comes Florian Wirtz - a natural No. 10 with the engine of a box-to-box midfielder and the vision of a quarterback.
In Iraola’s 4-2-3-1, Wirtz operates between the lines. He drifts left to combine with Luis Díaz or slides right to overload with Mohamed Salah. Wrexham’s midfield double-pivot of George Dobson and Andy Cannon will struggle to track him. Wirtz receives with his back to goal, turns under pressure, and slips through-balls to Isak. Expect plenty of that tomorrow.
Isak is the purest finisher Liverpool have had since peak Firmino - but with blistering pace. He runs the channels, holds up play, finishes with either foot. Together, they form a front four that could terrorise any defence, let alone one from the third tier.
Predicted XI: 4-2-3-1 with a Front-Three Nightmare for Wrexham
Goalkeeper & Defence: Kelleher Starts? Robbo’s Return
In a Premier League match, Alisson starts. But pre-season load management points to Caoimhín Kelleher. The Irish goalkeeper has been outstanding in friendlies, and with Celtic reportedly circling, Iraola wants to showcase him one more time. At right-back, Conor Bradley gets the nod as Trent Alexander-Arnold recovers from a minor hamstring issue. Virgil van Dijk captains the backline alongside Ibrahima Konaté, who needs minutes after a summer off. Andy Robertson makes his first start since the Euro 2026 final at left-back - fresh legs, hunger, and that trademark overlapping run ready to go.
Midfield Engine: Mac Allister and Gravenberch Pulling Strings
Behind Wirtz, the midfield duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch provides energy, press-resistance, and vertical passing. Mac Allister dictates tempo. Gravenberch carries the ball forward. Together they should boss the middle third, allowing Wirtz to roam. Expect Wrexham’s midfield to be stretched wide open by half-time.
The Attack: Isak Leads the Line - Salah and Wirtz Floating Behind
This is where it gets frightening. Mohamed Salah - still here, still world-class - operates from the right but drifts inside. Luis Díaz hugs the left touchline, stretching the defence. Wirtz roams centrally, finding pockets. Alexander Isak leads the line with pace and power. This front four can switch positions at will, pulling Wrexham’s full-backs in every direction.
Predicted XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Díaz; Isak.
