Liverpool's Pre-Season Double-Header: Injury Scare and Strong Performances

LFCTV were forced into an on-air apology on Sunday after accidentally broadcasting a gruesome injury suffered by Como defender Alberto Dossena during Liverpool’s pre-season double-header against the Italian side.

Liverpool faced Cesc Fabregas’ team twice in one day, splitting their squad across two friendlies. One side took on the newly promoted Champions League outfit at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, before a more senior XI stepped out at Anfield later in the day.

Horror moment at Kirkby

The first game, a shortened 70-minute behind-closed-doors contest, finished 0-0 and offered few clear chances. It did, however, produce the moment that had LFCTV scrambling.

Midway through the match, Dossena challenged James McConnell and Will Wright for an aerial ball. The Como centre-back landed awkwardly, his hand taking the full force of the fall. Cameras zoomed in. The replay left little to the imagination: a clearly dislocated finger.

Lead commentator John Bradley reacted immediately on the club channel.

"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 images went out. Co-commentator Natashia Dowie added: "Woah that's not nice."

The pictures were graphic enough for LFCTV to quickly row back. Presenter Steve Hunter moved to apologise to viewers.

"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," he said, acknowledging the timing – and the stomachs – of those watching around the world.

Play stopped briefly while Dossena received treatment and had the finger bandaged. Remarkably, the 27-year-old played on and completed the remaining six minutes.

The game itself never caught fire as a spectacle, but Liverpool did take encouragement from the sharp display of summer signing Victor Munoz and the composure of young midfielder Trey Nyoni, who both injected energy into an otherwise cagey affair. Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa and Kostas Tsimikas added experience to a mixed XI still feeling its way through pre-season.

Stronger side at Anfield

The second match of the day, this time in front of supporters at Anfield, saw Andoni Iraola roll out a stronger line-up. New signing Jeremy Jacquet made his first appearance of the summer, starting alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at the back.

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

For Iraola, the Como double-header formed a key part of Liverpool’s final tune-up before the new Premier League season. Speaking ahead of the friendlies, the Liverpool head coach was clear about what he wanted to see.

"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.

He reflected on the previous weekend’s outing against Monaco as a useful yardstick.

"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."

That theme – intensity and consistency – is set to define Liverpool’s next steps.

"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," Iraola added.

There was at least one major boost for him at Kirkby. Mac Allister’s return to training on Monday after World Cup duty means the full squad is finally back together.

"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 friendlies are meant to be about rhythm, fitness and fine-tuning systems. On Sunday, they also delivered a jarring reminder of the physical edge that never really disappears – even in July.