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 Liverpool’s pre-season friendly on Sunday.
Liverpool faced the Italian side, coached by Cesc Fabregas, twice in one day. One team took on the Champions League newcomers behind closed doors at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, before a more senior XI lined up at Anfield later in front of supporters.
Horror replay sparks on-air apology
The first game, shortened to 70 minutes, finished 0-0 and offered little in the way of goalmouth drama. The most dramatic moment came in entirely the wrong way.
Midway through the contest, Dossena challenged James McConnell and Will Wright for an aerial ball. As he came down, he landed awkwardly on his hand. He stayed on the turf, clearly in pain, before LFCTV’s cameras cut to a close-up that revealed a 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 rolled.
Co-commentator Natashia Dowie could only add: "Woah that's not nice."
The pictures were graphic enough for an apology to follow on the club’s in-house channel.
Hunter said: "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."
Play was halted briefly while Dossena received treatment and had his finger bandaged. Remarkably, the 27-year-old centre-back stayed on and completed the remaining six minutes of the game.
Mixed day, useful minutes
The goalless draw at Kirkby featured a blend of experience and youth for Liverpool. Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas and summer signing Victor Munoz all started, giving Andoni Iraola valuable minutes in the legs of key players.
Chances were scarce, but Munoz’s sharp movement and the composure of young midfielder Trey Nyoni stood out in an otherwise low-key contest for the hosts.
The tempo, and the profile, rose later in the day.
Iraola named a stronger 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. 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 featured in the earlier fixture.
Iraola’s pre-season message
Before the double-header against Como, Iraola had set out exactly what he wanted from these final tune‑ups before the 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 reflected on the previous outing against Monaco as a template and a warning.
"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, he stressed, is non-negotiable.
"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."
One major boost has already arrived.
"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."
The images of Dossena’s dislocated finger will not feature in any highlight reel, but the day underlined what pre-season really is for Liverpool now: sharpening the edges, testing the depth, and proving whether Iraola’s demands for relentless energy can survive once the real games start.
