Liverpool's Behind-Closed-Doors Friendly Takes Shocking Turn
What was supposed to be a low-key tune-up for Liverpool’s stars took a jarring turn at Kirkby – and left LFCTV scrambling to apologise.
Hours before Cesc Fabregas’ Como side stepped out at Anfield for a pre-season friendly, the two clubs had already gone head to head in a separate, 70‑minute game at the Reds’ Kirkby Training Centre. It was designed as a quiet run-out, a chance to top up minutes for the likes of Federico Chiesa, Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz away from the spotlight.
Instead, it produced one of the most stomach-churning moments of Liverpool’s summer.
Graphic injury aired live
Midway through the behind-closed-doors clash, Como defender Alberto Dossena challenged James McConnell and Will Wright in the air. As he came down, he landed awkwardly on his hand.
He stayed down. The cameras didn’t look away.
A tight LFCTV close-up showed his finger grotesquely dislocated, prompting an instant reaction on commentary and an immediate need for an on-air apology as the images went out live to viewers.
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.”
Co-commentator Natashia Dowie could only add: “Woah that’s not nice,” before Bradley tried to steady the tone for anyone watching at home: “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.”
The game paused briefly as medical staff rushed on. Dossena, 27, received treatment on the pitch and had the damaged finger bandaged before, remarkably, playing on for the remaining six minutes.
Quiet contest, bright cameos
The match itself ended goalless and never really caught fire in front of goal. Clear-cut chances were scarce, the rhythm more about fitness than ferocity.
There were, though, flashes that will have pleased Andoni Iraola and his staff. Summer signing Victor Munoz impressed with his energy and intent, while young midfielder Trey Nyoni again showed why he is being fast-tracked through the ranks, injecting some much-needed spark into an otherwise cagey affair.
For Liverpool, the exercise did its job: minutes in the legs, patterns rehearsed, a few individual performances to bank. The only sour note came from the sight of Dossena’s finger on the big close-up.
Stronger XI, instant impact at Anfield
If Kirkby was about rhythm, Anfield was about raising the level.
For the main friendly against Como later in the day, Iraola named a stronger starting XI. New signing Jeremy Jacquet was handed his first appearance of pre-season, lining up alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence.
The step up in quality showed. Cody Gakpo struck first for the Reds, finding the net to underline his sharpness in front of goal. Twenty-one minutes later, Jacquet marked his debut in style, scoring to cap an assured first outing in a Liverpool shirt.
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 the hard yards in the earlier Kirkby encounter.
Iraola’s warning and ambition
Before either game kicked off, Iraola had been clear about what he wanted from this stage of pre-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, pointing back to the previous weekend’s meeting with Monaco as a template for both encouragement and improvement.
“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 message is blunt: the football is coming together, but the engine still needs miles. Liverpool are sharpening their tools, blooding new faces and leaning on their academy – all while being reminded, in one grim close-up, how quickly a quiet friendly can turn into something far more visceral.
Pre-season is nearly done. The real tests are about to begin.
