​Liverpool youngster breaks Wrexham resistanceLiverpool 1-0 Wrexham: Rio Ngumoha provides decisive spark in New YorkNgumoha breaks Wrexham resistancePre-season matches can offer evidence without providing certainty. Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 victory over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium belonged firmly in that category, with Rio Ngumoha supplying the decisive moment during a contest that rarely escaped the measured pace of an exhibition fixture.Ngumoha struck in the 75th minute after collecting possession on the right and advancing towards a retreating Wrexham defence. His shot took a deflection off Lewis Brunt, looped beyond goalkeeper Danny Ward and dropped into the net. It was an untidy goal in an uneven match, but there was nothing accidental about the youngster’s willingness to attack.The 17-year-old had been introduced at half-time and deployed on the right, rather than in his more familiar position on the opposite flank. Although he occasionally found his path crowded when attempting to move inside, Ngumoha remained persistent. His reward was the goal that secured Liverpool’s second victory in as many pre-season matches under Andoni Iraola.As reported in the original match report by The Guardian, the winger’s effort delighted most of a 42,204 crowd and ensured Liverpool made their disrupted visit to New York worthwhile.IMAGOYouthful Liverpool side faces demanding testLiverpool’s preparation had been complicated by severe weather and considerable travel disruption. The squad’s flight from Chicago was cancelled on Tuesday evening, leaving the players and staff to travel on the day of the game. They arrived at their Midtown hotel around midday before facing Wrexham that evening.Iraola was also without several established players. Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch had only recently returned following their post-World Cup breaks and did not make the journey. Joe Gomez was unavailable through injury, while Federico Chiesa missed the match because of illness.Those absences encouraged Iraola to select another experimental team, with six starters yet to make a Premier League appearance. Sixteen-year-old Joshua Abe was handed his first senior start and almost marked the occasion with an early goal.Harvey Elliott released Abe behind Wrexham’s defence, but the winger’s first touch allowed Ward to close the distance and save at his feet. It was a reminder of both Abe’s potential and the fine margins separating academy football from senior competition.Lewis Koumas also threatened from distance and appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty. Dominik Szoboszlai, wearing the captain’s armband, provided Liverpool’s most purposeful running from midfield. Nevertheless, the first half produced few clear opportunities.Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds had described the occasion as a “punch-me moment”, but neither side landed many meaningful blows before the interval.Wrexham provide physical examinationWrexham were further advanced in the