Liverpool's Pre-Season Friendly Ends in Horror Injury

LFCTV were forced to apologise live on air after accidentally broadcasting a gruesome injury to a Como defender during Liverpool’s pre-season friendly on Sunday.

The Reds faced the Italian side, coached by Cesc Fabregas, twice in one day. One Liverpool XI took on the Champions League newcomers behind closed doors at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, before a more senior team hosted Como at Anfield later in front of supporters.

Horror replay sparks live apology

The first game, shortened to 70 minutes, drifted towards a routine 0-0 at the training ground. Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas and summer signing Victor Munoz all started, giving the workout some star power even if clear chances were scarce.

Then came the moment that made viewers wince.

Como centre-back Alberto Dossena went up for an aerial challenge with James McConnell and Will Wright, landed awkwardly and immediately stayed down, clutching his hand. Cameras cut in for a close-up. Too close.

The replay revealed a clearly dislocated finger.

Lead LFCTV commentator John Bradley reacted instantly. “That’s a nasty landing. We might need a little stoppage here to get the medical team on. Well yes there you go, he’s dislocated his finger,” he said, as the pictures rolled. Co-commentator Natashia Dowie could only add: “Woah that’s not nice.”

The images were graphic enough for the channel to quickly row back.

Commentator Hunter followed up with an on-air apology: “Apologies if you are just trying to have your lunch or if you’re in, who knows, San Diego having a very early breakfast. Sometimes you just see things that make you squirm.”

Play stopped briefly while Dossena received treatment and a bandage, but the 27-year-old showed plenty of resilience, staying on for the remaining six minutes.

The game itself offered little drama in front of goal, yet Liverpool did take encouragement from the sharp, energetic display of Munoz and another bright outing from young midfielder Trey Nyoni.

Stronger Liverpool side steps up at Anfield

The second fixture of the day brought a different tone. Andoni Iraola named a stronger XI for the Anfield meeting and handed a first pre-season appearance to new signing Jeremy Jacquet, who lined up alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.

Recent loan arrival Ronald Araujo was kept in reserve among the substitutes. He was joined on the bench by Lewis Koumas, Munoz, Nyoni, Wright and Mor Talla Ndiaye, all of whom had already put in minutes during the earlier match at Kirkby.

For Iraola, the Como double-header formed a key part of Liverpool’s final tune-up for the new Premier League campaign.

“This will be a very good, and very important, test for us as we finalise our preparations for the new Premier League season,” the Liverpool boss said before the friendlies, reflecting too on the previous weekend’s outing against Monaco.

“Despite the result, last weekend’s game against Monaco brought plenty of positives and plenty of learnings for myself and my staff.

“The first half, and the first 30 minutes in particular, was very pleasing. It was good to see Alexander Isak getting on the scoresheet and looking sharp, and I saw a lot of good things both with and without the ball.

“The problem we had, as we had against Leeds in Chicago, was that we were not able to sustain our levels and that is something that can only happen with time, and with a lot of hard work on the training ground.

“I have spoken many times about the type of team I want to see on the pitch, about the intensity, the intent and the energy we are looking for, and while it is clear that there is still a lot of improvement to come, I believe that we are moving in the right direction and I expect that to continue in the coming days and weeks as the season gets under way.

“With Alexis Mac Allister having returned to the AXA Training Centre on Monday, we now have all of our players back after the World Cup, which is of course hugely beneficial.

“There is no doubt in my mind about the quality and the potential we have within our squad, and now it is up to us to show that on a consistent basis going forward.”

Pre-season rarely passes without a scare or an uncomfortable moment. Liverpool got both in one afternoon: a horror finger dislocation on screen, and a blunt reminder that sharpness, intensity and consistency still need to be built before the real stuff starts.