Why Alexander Isak, Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz were in Chicago as Liverpool played in NYC
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Andoni Iraola welcomed three major stars to his U.S. preseason camp this week, but they stayed at the Chicago base and missed out on facing Wrexham in New York CityFlorian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Ryan Gravenberch all missed the trip to NYCLiverpool traveled to New York City without Alexander Isak, Ryan Gravenberch, and Florian Wirtz for Wednesday's preseason clash against Wrexham, with the soccer stars staying in Chicago, where the club is based for the U.S. tour.After beating Sunderland 4-2 in Nashville, Liverpool saw plans to arrive in New York City disrupted by the weather. However, Wednesday's game came too soon for Isak, Gravenberch, and Wirtz.The Liverpool preseason roster expanded this week, as Isak, Gravenberch, and Wirtz arrived late in Chicago following their summer break.
Instead, head coach Andoni Iraola named a youthful starting lineup.Gravenberch also missed the game despite joining the tour while Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo are in the UK(Image: Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)Szoboszlai was handed the armband for Wednesday's game and was by far the most senior member involved. However, Harvey Elliott was also handed another start, as he aims to win Iraola over this summer after being deemed surplus to requirements by Arne Slot.Elliott has still been linked with a summer transfer away, with Leeds United a rumored destination.
With Unai Emery realizing early that he did not want to sign Elliott, he was frozen out.Harvey Elliott is back with Liverpool after his brutal loan at Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)It was a difficult season for Elliott, who thought that his Liverpool career had ended, only to discover that he wasn't wanted at Villa. "Harvey is here with us, I have seen him with the eagerness to show up, get super ready, he’ll have a chance in pre-season, we’ll need him and it’s a good sign."Before the U.S. tour began, Iraola was working with the rest of the fringe and academy players and got to know the talent attempting to secure a roster spot.