Liverpool's Pre-Season: Injury Scare and Stronger XI at Anfield

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

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

Horror moment in behind-closed-doors clash

The first game, shortened to 70 minutes, drifted towards a low-key 0-0 draw, with Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas and Victor Munoz among the more experienced names in Andoni Iraola’s side.

Then came the moment that made viewers wince.

Dossena went up for an aerial challenge with James McConnell and Will Wright, landed awkwardly and immediately stayed down on the turf, clutching his hand. LFCTV’s cameras cut in for a close-up – and revealed a clearly dislocated finger.

Lead 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 replay left little to the imagination.

Co-commentator Natashia Dowie added bluntly: "Woah that's not nice."

The images were graphic enough for the channel to backtrack on air. Presenter Peter McDowall’s colleague Steve Hunter stepped in with an apology to those watching around the world.

"Apologies if you are just trying to have your lunch or if you're in, who knows, San Diego having a very early breakfast," Hunter said. "Sometimes you just see things that make you squirm."

Play was halted briefly while Dossena received treatment. Bandaged up, the 27-year-old centre-back played on for the remaining six minutes, refusing to come off despite the obvious pain.

The match itself offered few clear chances, but there were bright spots for Liverpool. Summer signing Munoz caught the eye with his energy, while young midfielder Trey Nyoni impressed again, adding another encouraging display to his growing reputation.

Stronger Liverpool XI steps up at Anfield

For the second fixture of the day, Iraola raised the intensity.

The Liverpool head coach named a stronger starting XI for the Anfield game 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 among the substitutes, joined by Lewis Koumas, Munoz, Nyoni, Wright and Mor Talla Ndiaye – all of whom had already put minutes in their legs in the earlier encounter at Kirkby.

Before the double-header with Como, Iraola had been clear about what he wanted from these games as Liverpool edge towards the new Premier League season.

"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 pointed back to the previous weekend’s outing against Monaco as a marker.

"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."

Intensity. Intent. Energy. Those are the pillars Iraola keeps returning to.

"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."

A double-header, a horror injury, a public apology and another step towards full sharpness. Liverpool’s pre-season is no longer about who is back – it is about who can now hit those levels every three days when the real games start.