Goalless Draw in Pre-Season Opener
Liverpool played to a goalless draw against Como 1907 in their first pre-season match on Sunday. The encounter took place behind closed doors at the AXA Training Centre and consisted of two 35-minute halves. This fixture serves as the initial meeting between the two sides, who are scheduled to play again at Anfield.
The match saw limited genuine scoring opportunities for both teams. Despite some attacking efforts, neither side managed to break the deadlock in Kirkby.
Team Line-ups and Key Moments
Liverpool’s starting eleven featured Alexis Mac Allister’s first pre-season appearance, following his return to club duties earlier in the week. The team was managed by Andoni Iraola and lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The starting goalkeeper was Mamardashvili, with a defensive line comprising Ramsay, Endo, Chambers, and Tsimikas. In midfield, Nyoni and Mac Allister played as defensive midfielders, while Elliott, McConnell, and Muñoz occupied attacking midfield roles. Chiesa led the line as the striker.
Early in the match, Victor Muñoz created a half-chance just three minutes in. The summer signing navigated past Ivan Smolcic on the left side of the box and delivered a cross that Trey Nyoni headed wide. Assane Diao was a frequent attacking outlet for Como down the left flank, requiring Liverpool’s defence to contain his driving runs.
Diao also had a significant opportunity during the opening period. A passing sequence freed Smolcic on the right wing, who then slid a square pass to Diao inside the Liverpool area. However, Diao misfired his shot. Adrian Lahdo also struck a shot wide from 20 yards, ensuring the score remained goalless at the interval.
In the second half, Muñoz delivered a ball towards the near post, which Federico Chiesa met with a header that was saved. Muñoz’s pace was evident again shortly after, as he bypassed two opponents before being stopped in the box. Nyoni later shot over the crossbar after substitute Will Wright had won possession in Como’s territory and set up the chance.
Liverpool’s most notable chance in the second half came just before the hour mark. Lewis Koumas dispossessed Riccardo Cassano near his own area and turned towards goal, but his left-footed effort drifted wide. Mac Allister was substituted by Andoni Iraola after approximately an hour of play. In the final minute, a crucial block by Smolcic prevented Wright from taking a shot at goal from 12 yards out, before the referee concluded the match.
Substitutions and Managerial Presence
During the match, Liverpool made several substitutions. Koumas, Morrison, and Wright were introduced in the 46th minute, replacing Chiesa, Elliott, and Muñoz respectively. Mac Allister was substituted for T. Ndiaye in the 59th minute. Later, in the 67th minute, Pitt came on for McConnell, and Sonni-Lambie replaced Ramsay. H. Davies remained an unused substitute.
Como’s manager, Cesc Fàbregas, also set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Their starting lineup included Törnqvist in goal, with a defence of Valle, Kempf, Dossena, and Smolcic. Perrone and Caqueret were the defensive midfielders, while Diao, Lahdo, and Kühn played as attacking midfielders. Álvaro Morata, who served as captain, was the striker. The managerial staff, including Andoni Iraola, were present on the touchline for Liverpool, with some senior players observing from a balcony.
Trey Nyoni played the full 70 minutes of the match and demonstrated positional discipline, breaking up play and making forward passes. Wataru Endo also played the entire match as a centre-back. The match concluded with no goals scored by either side.
Source: bbc.com
