Liverpool's Friendly Marred by Gruesome Injury to Como Defender

What was supposed to be a low-key tune-up for Liverpool’s new season preparations turned stomachs instead.

A behind-closed-doors friendly between Liverpool and Cesc Fabregas’ Como at the club’s Kirkby Training Centre was halted after a horrific finger injury to Como defender Alberto Dossena was accidentally broadcast in graphic detail on LFCTV, prompting an on-air apology.

Horror moment at Kirkby

Before the more high-profile clash at Anfield, the clubs had agreed to a short 70-minute run-out at Kirkby, designed to top up minutes for the likes of Federico Chiesa, Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz.

The rhythm of the game snapped in an instant.

Dossena went up for an aerial challenge with James McConnell and Will Wright, landed awkwardly, and crashed down on his hand. Cameras, positioned tight to the action, zoomed in as he stayed on the turf – and showed a clearly dislocated finger in unsettling close-up.

Lead commentator John Bradley reacted in real time.

"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 replay left little to the imagination.

Co-commentator Natashia Dowie could only add: "Woah that's not nice," before Bradley moved quickly to acknowledge the uncomfortable images being shown.

"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."

Viewers had already seen enough.

Play was briefly halted while Como’s medical staff sprinted on. Dossena, 27, received treatment on the pitch and had the finger bandaged before, remarkably, playing on for the remaining six minutes of the game.

Goalless, but with glimmers for Liverpool

The match itself finished goalless and offered few clear-cut chances. It was functional rather than thrilling, a session more than a spectacle.

There were, though, some bright spots for Liverpool. Summer signing Victor Munoz injected energy and intent, while young midfielder Trey Nyoni again caught the eye with his composure and willingness to demand the ball. In a game short on drama in either box, their performances gave Andoni Iraola something to smile about.

Stronger side, sharper edge at Anfield

The tone shifted later in the day at Anfield.

Iraola rolled out a stronger starting XI for the second fixture against Como, handing new recruit Jeremy Jacquet his first appearance of pre-season alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. The French defender did not waste his opportunity. After Cody Gakpo had opened the scoring for Liverpool on 21 minutes, Jacquet marked his debut with a goal of his own.

On the bench, recent loan arrival Ronald Araujo waited for his chance, 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 slotted into a broader pre-season picture. Speaking before the Como double-header, the Liverpool manager had underlined the importance of such fixtures as the Premier League opener looms.

"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, reflecting on the previous 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."

The Como double-header, grim injury and all, offered exactly that: more minutes, more data, more chances to build the intensity Iraola keeps demanding. The question now is whether Liverpool can carry that growing sharpness into the only arena that really matters – the Premier League.