LIVERPOOL 2 – 0 COMO
Liverpool:Gakpo 23’, Jacquet 43’
Pre-Match
Preseason at Anfield, and we’re a week away from the start of the Premier League. Jeremy Jacquet is starting alongside Virgil van Dijk, and Ronald Araujo is on the bench and likely to appear in the second half. We get our first glimpse at what the opening lineup might be like against Newcastle, as everyone has returned from their summer holidays and the players that are injured are still unfortunately injured. This is as close as we’re going to get, it feels. The friendly earlier today behind closed doors ended 0-0 so it was more about getting match minutes back into legs – Wataru Endo played a full 90 at center back (sob) – but only some of the players that featured then are included in this one, and they’re on the bench. So here we go.
First Half
Florian Wirtz takes the first kick and we’re underway, with the ball going downfield and Jeremy Jacquet getting a chance to show off early, holding the ball well under pressure. Play has moved back and forth without much incident in these opening minutes, Kerkez draws a free kick just outside the box early on but its delivered high and wide enough for a Como defender to head it away for a corner. Isak gets a hold of it and shoots through traffic but hits the post – and its another glimpse of the player we spent so much money for last year.
The frantic first ten minutes have settled into the more controlled second ten minutes, and Liverpool have had the lion’s share of the control and chances, with Isak being a little more confident in front of goal and even Szoboszlai taking a chance that also goes wide. Speaking of looking like their old selves, Jeremie Frimpong carries the ball into space left open by Como and sending it towards Cody Gakpo, who scores for Liverpool to take the lead! With all the rumours around about Gakpo potentially leaving, he might just leave us one last goal.
We enter the last ten minutes of the match and the Jeremies have been the standouts of the match, with Frimpong putting his pace on full display and Jacquet using his full body to defend in a way that got the Kop singing for him around the 37th minute. I don’t want to say it but if everyone can stay fit, they might be some players in the league. Even as I was typing this, Jacquet SCORES! TAPPING IN AN ASSIST FROM GAKPO! IT’S 2-0 LIVERPOOL! It may just be preseason but that is definitely the way to win over your new club.
Second Half
The only change that is made for the second half is the expected one, with Ronald Araujo coming on for Jeremy Jacquet, to test out the center back partnership with captain Virgil. There is a bit of trouble for Liverpool as Como win a free kick early on outside the box, but it goes nowhere, and Alisson is tested for the first real times in this match. Como look a little better prepared in this half for what Liverpool are bringing to the pitch, but the Reds are doing a good job of meeting them toe for toe.
Araujo has had less time to bed in with the squad, so he while he is a confident defender, the teamwork still needs a little work as he figures out where everyone likes to be and what they like to do within the back line. There’s a pause around the 59th minute as a Como player goes down and Iraola takes the opportunity to bring on Lewis Koumas for Rio Ngumoha. Koumas has also been impressive this preseason so the change is not unwelcome as the club continue to manage Rio’s minutes.
The second half has largely passed without incident, although these opening minutes of the next hour are a little scrappier than the previous. Maybe Como are falling over more often, who knows. Araujo goes in boldly with a sliding tackle outside the final third, so there’s definitely something reminiscent of his buddy Darwin (a silly move). He’s pressing in the midfield too which is… unexpectedly delightful? A couple more changes come on, with Trey Nyoni replacing Florian Wirtz, and Victor Munoz replacing Cody Gakpo.
Honestly, even as the match has settled and slowed down, if we keep playing like this for the rest of the season I’ll be happy. Isak comes off for Will Wright in these last ten minutes, and all eyes are on keeping the lead.
Final Thoughts
We did the thing!!! A confident and relaxed win against a potential Champions League opponent. I’ll take it.