One week before their Premier League opener away at Newcastle United, Liverpool played two friendlies against Como on Sunday. A side largely made up of reserves was held to a 0-0 draw at the training centre in the morning, before Iraola fielded a much stronger XI at Anfield in the evening, in front of 59,800 spectators. The line-up was already close to what could start the league campaign, and Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory through goals from Cody Gakpo and new signing Jérémy Jacquet.
Gakpo and Jacquet get the goals
Liverpool started with plenty of intensity. Alexander Isak hit the post after eight minutes and almost benefited from a poor back-pass shortly afterwards. The breakthrough eventually came in the 23rd minute: Jeremie Frimpong pushed forward down the right and picked out Gakpo at the far post with his cross. The Dutchman controlled the ball superbly before finishing to make it 1-0.
Shortly before half-time, centre-back Jacquet capped an impressive Liverpool debut with a goal. Como failed to fully clear a corner, Virgil van Dijk kept the move alive and Gakpo squared the ball for the 21-year-old Frenchman, who converted for 2-0.
Como became more dangerous after the break. Alisson made saves from Anastasios Douvikas and Martin Baturina, while Jesús Rodríguez found the side-netting. Late on, Assane Diao went close for the visitors before Ryan Gravenberch struck the crossbar at the other end.
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Less possession, but the better chances
The statistics provide an interesting perspective on Liverpool’s 2-0 win. Como actually had 58 per cent possession and completed 540 passes compared to Liverpool’s 376. The Italians also registered 14 shots to the hosts’ ten and put four attempts on target, while Liverpool scored with both of their shots on goal.
The expected-goals figures, however, favoured the Reds. Liverpool finished with 1.59 xG compared to Como’s 0.61. Fàbregas’ side therefore had more of the ball and a greater number of attempts, but Liverpool reached high-quality shooting positions much more frequently. The 2-0 scoreline was highly efficient, but ultimately still reflected the overall quality of the chances created.
Iraola’s influence is already visible
Tactically, there were already clear differences compared to last season. Liverpool lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch forming the double pivot and Florian Wirtz operating as a clear No.10 behind lone striker Isak.
Especially in the first half, the Reds looked to play vertically as quickly as possible after winning possession and pressed Como high up the pitch. Frimpong often stayed wide on the right and pushed forward aggressively, while Gakpo repeatedly moved infield from the left into more central finishing positions.
That greater directness is one of the key features of Iraola’s approach. Compared to Arne Slot’s more controlled positional game, Liverpool are looking to attack forward more quickly and apply greater pressure without the ball. The approach demands enormous physical effort, however. In the pre-season defeats to Leeds and Monaco, Liverpool were unable to maintain the required intensity for the full 90 minutes after promising starts. The same pattern was visible against Como, with the first half clearly stronger than the second.
Despite the positive end to pre-season, Iraola therefore acknowledged that there is still plenty of work to do. The coach stressed afterwards that his team needed the feeling of winning while keeping a clean sheet. At the same time, he admitted that the first half had once again been better and that Liverpool still need to improve after the break. One positive was that several players were able to complete 80 or 90 minutes without suffering any significant physical issues.
Impressive debut from Jacquet
The standout individual was new signing Jacquet. The centre-back, who joined from Rennes for around £60 million, impressed for more than just his goal. His pace allowed him to cover large spaces behind Liverpool’s high defensive line, while he also won several important individual duels. His name was already being chanted by supporters on the Kop during the first half.
Jacquet was replaced at half-time by Ronald Araújo, who also made his debut following his loan move from FC Barcelona. Iraola praised both new defenders afterwards. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker also highlighted Jacquet’s performance, pointing to the quality he showed both in possession and when defending the spaces behind the back line.
Successful dress rehearsal – Newcastle will be the real test
After defeats to Leeds and Monaco, the 2-0 win over Como provided a positive conclusion to an otherwise mixed pre-season. More important than the result itself was Liverpool’s improved defensive stability. Despite Como enjoying longer spells of possession, the Reds conceded only 0.61 xG and kept a clean sheet against an opponent of this quality for the first time this summer.
A much clearer indication of Liverpool’s progress under Iraola will come next Sunday, when the Premier League season begins away at Newcastle United. In the intense atmosphere of St James’ Park, Liverpool will have to show whether their aggressive pressing and vertical attacking game can already be sustained for 90 minutes – or whether the second-half drop-offs seen repeatedly during pre-season remain an early concern.
