Liverpool's Pre-Season Match Against Como Takes Disturbing Turn

Liverpool’s low-key pre-season workout against Como took an uncomfortable turn when LFCTV showed a gruesome injury in graphic detail – and were forced to apologise on air.

Gruesome moment mars behind-closed-doors clash

Before Cesc Fabregas’ Serie A side stepped out at Anfield for the headline friendly, the clubs had already met once earlier in the day at the Reds’ Kirkby Training Centre. It was a short, 70‑minute, behind-closed-doors run-out, designed to sharpen legs rather than raise pulses, with valuable minutes for the likes of Federico Chiesa, Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz.

The mood changed in an instant.

Como defender Alberto Dossena went up for an aerial challenge with James McConnell and Will Wright, landed awkwardly and crashed down onto his hand. Cameras tracking the action cut in tight. Viewers were suddenly staring at a horribly dislocated finger.

Lead commentator John Bradley reacted immediately on LFCTV. "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."

Co-commentator Natashia Dowie could only add: "Woah that's not nice," before Bradley, aware of what had just gone out live, moved quickly to acknowledge the distressing pictures.

"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."

The game paused briefly as medical staff sprinted on. Dossena, 27, received treatment on the pitch, his finger bandaged up. Remarkably, he played on for the remaining six minutes.

The match itself finished goalless, short on clear-cut chances but not entirely devoid of positives for Liverpool. Summer signing Victor Munoz was lively, while young midfielder Trey Nyoni again showed why he is so highly regarded in the academy.

Stronger Reds XI, new faces and a debut goal

The main act came later.

Andoni Iraola named a much stronger starting XI for the second fixture against Como, this time in front of the Anfield crowd. New signing Jeremy Jacquet was handed his first appearance of pre-season, lining up alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence.

It did not take long for the reshaped side to click. Cody Gakpo struck first for the Reds, and 21 minutes later Jacquet marked his debut in the best possible way by getting on the scoresheet himself.

On the bench, another fresh face waited. Recent loan arrival Ronald Araujo was among the substitutes, joined by Lewis Koumas, Munoz, Nyoni, Wright and Mor Talla Ndiaye – all of whom had already put in a shift in the earlier Kirkby game.

For Iraola, these back-to-back tests against Como slotted into a demanding pre-season schedule that has already included meetings with Monaco and Leeds in Chicago. Speaking before the double-header, he made it clear he sees these games as more than gentle tune-ups.

"This will be a very good, and very important, test for us as we finalise our preparations for the new Premier League season," he said. "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."

The message is blunt. Performances are building, intensity is not yet where he wants it, and the clock is ticking towards the new Premier League season.