Liverpool's Pre-Season Friendly Ends in Horror Injury

LFCTV were forced to apologise live on air after accidentally broadcasting a gruesome injury suffered by Como defender Alberto Dossena during a pre-season friendly against Liverpool on Sunday.

Liverpool faced the Italian side, coached by Cesc Fabregas, twice in one day. A mixed Reds XI took on the Champions League newcomers behind closed doors at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, before a more senior team lined up at Anfield later in front of supporters.

Horror replay sparks on-air apology

The first game, shortened to 70 minutes, drifted towards a low-key 0-0, with Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas and Victor Munoz among the experienced Liverpool starters. The football was steady, the tempo controlled. Then came the moment that made everyone wince.

Dossena went up for an aerial challenge with James McConnell and Will Wright, landed awkwardly, and immediately clutched his hand. Cameras zoomed in. Too close.

The replay showed a clearly dislocated finger, twisted at an alarming angle.

Lead LFCTV commentator John Bradley reacted instantly. "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 played out. Co-commentator Natashia Dowie could only add: "Woah that's not nice."

The channel quickly realised how graphic the shot looked for a pre-season lunchtime kick-off. Presenter Steve Hunter then stepped in with an apology aimed at viewers who had stumbled across far more than they bargained for.

"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.

The game paused briefly while Dossena received treatment. Bandaged up, the 27-year-old centre-back showed his toughness, staying on for the remaining six minutes.

Munoz and Nyoni catch the eye

Chances were scarce in the goalless draw, but Liverpool still took some positives from the workout. Summer signing Victor Munoz looked sharp and direct, while young midfielder Trey Nyoni again impressed with his composure and energy in tight spaces.

For Andoni Iraola, it was another step in a pre-season designed to build rhythm rather than headlines. The serious business, though, moved to Anfield later in the day.

Stronger XI steps out at Anfield

Iraola named a stronger starting XI for the second meeting with Como and handed a first pre-season appearance to new signing Jeremy Jacquet, who lined up alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at the back.

Recent loan arrival Ronald Araujo was named on the bench, joined by Lewis Koumas, Munoz, Nyoni, Wright and Mor Talla Ndiaye, all of whom had already put in minutes in the earlier game at Kirkby. It was a clear sign of the manager’s intention to spread the workload while sharpening combinations across the squad.

Iraola sets out his demands

Speaking before the double-header, Iraola made it clear these fixtures are about far more than scorelines.

"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 last weekend’s 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.

"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.

"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 rarely linger in the memory, but this one will — for a grim injury replay, a swift on-air apology, and another reminder that Iraola’s Liverpool are being pushed hard to hit full throttle by the time the Premier League kicks off.