Liverpool secures 2-0 victory over Como in pre-season friendly
Liverpool concludes pre-season with win
Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory against Como 1907 at Anfield in a pre-season friendly. The match marked the conclusion of the club’s 2026-27 pre-season schedule. Goals from Cody Gakpo and debutant Jeremy Jacquet in the first half sealed the win for Liverpool.
This fixture was the second encounter between the two clubs on the same day, with the initial game at the AXA Training Centre ending in a goalless draw. Head coach Andoni Iraola expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly highlighting the clean sheet and the win as positive feelings to carry into the upcoming season.
Iraola noted that the first half of the match was stronger than the second, but commended the team for maintaining organisation and composure to secure the clean sheet and the 2-0 result. He emphasised the importance of this feeling of finishing with a win before the competitive season begins.
Individual performances and fitness levels
Andoni Iraola specifically praised the performances of new players Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo. He remarked that both players performed very well in their first game for the club. Jacquet was noted for his strong play, and Araujo also impressed after coming on.
Additionally, Jeremie Frimpong received commendation for playing the full 90 minutes at right-back. Iraola highlighted Frimpong’s contributions both offensively and in defensively closing down his side, indicating several good performances in the defensive line.
Regarding the physical condition of the players, Iraola stated that the team’s fitness has improved compared to the previous week. He expressed hope for further improvement in the coming week. While acknowledging that first-half performances are currently better than second-half displays, he noted that many players completed 90 minutes or 80 minutes without major issues such as cramps.
The head coach views this as an improvement in fitness levels and the mental aspect of maintaining focus even when not at peak freshness, which helps in avoiding significant errors. Despite the progress, he stressed the need for further improvement, especially in the second half of matches.
Preparation for the Premier League season
Looking ahead, Andoni Iraola outlined his plans for the week leading up to the Premier League opener against Newcastle United. He mentioned that the team has two or three full weeks available for training, which he believes is crucial for building team cohesion and understanding.
Iraola explained the necessity for players to train together to build relationships on the pitch, allowing them to solve problems independently during games. He also plans to analyse areas for improvement, particularly concerning the second-half performance observed in the friendly.
The head coach expressed satisfaction with the players’ attitude and their commitment to adapting to his methods. He acknowledged that he is asking them to implement different tactical approaches, especially without the ball, and believes they are making efforts to grasp these new concepts. While acknowledging that the team is not yet perfect and has areas to improve, Iraola is happy with their willingness to align with his vision, stating that they will eventually reach their desired level.
In other club news, information has emerged regarding FSG sanctioning a partial sale of Liverpool FC. A consortium led by businessman and former QPR owner Amit Bhatia, which also includes Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, is involved in this development.
The team will continue to train in the coming weeks to prepare for the start of the Premier League season.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
