Wrexham face Liverpool with Premier League still in their sights despite setback

<ul><li><p>Club have been promoted three times in four years</p></li><li><p>Phil Parkinson’s side missed out on playoffs in 2026</p></li></ul><p>The Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds called it a “punch-me moment” – his club playing 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 knockout blow would be playing Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League in 2027-28 and the manager, Phil Parkinson, accepts there is expectation on Wrexham to complete their remarkable rise through the divisions next season.</p><p>Parkinson’s team face Liverpool with confidence in the Bronx on Wednesday having defeated Manchester United and Leeds in pre-season so far and moved on from the anguish of missing out on the Championship playoffs on the final day of last season. The near-miss was undoubtedly a setback to an ambitious club’s grand vision but finishing seventh in the Championship at the first time of asking, Parkinson insists, was an accomplishment that should not be dismissed lightly.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/28/wrexham-face-liverpool-with-premier-league-still-in-their-sights-despite-setback">Continue reading...</a>