Liverpool were unable to begin their pre-season campaign with a victory after being held to a 0-0 draw by Como in their opening friendly. The Reds created several opportunities during the match but struggled to find the finishing touch needed to break the deadlock.
The fixture was part of an unusual double-header between Liverpool and Como, with the two sides scheduled to meet twice on the same day. The first encounter has now been completed, while the second friendly is expected to take place later tonight.
The opening match was played behind closed doors, meaning there was limited access for supporters and media. Nevertheless, reports from the Liverpool Echo provided an insight into how the game unfolded.
For Liverpool, the match represented another opportunity to build fitness, assess the squad and continue preparations ahead of the new competitive season.
Cautious Start from Both Teams
The first half was played at a relatively controlled pace, with both Liverpool and Como showing plenty of caution when attempting to build attacks.
Neither side appeared willing to commit too many players forward during the early stages. Liverpool tried to establish possession and patiently work their way into dangerous areas, while Como remained organized and looked for opportunities to threaten on the counter.
Liverpool registered the first notable opportunity of the match when Nyoni attempted to find the target with a header. Unfortunately for the Reds, his effort drifted wide of the Como goal.
That chance was followed by a period in which both teams exchanged attacks without creating a clear-cut opportunity.
Liverpool had moments where they managed to move the ball into promising positions, but Como’s defensive organization prevented the Reds from turning their possession into meaningful chances.
As the first half progressed, the contest became increasingly difficult to break open. Neither team was able to establish a clear advantage, and the lack of major scoring opportunities meant the two sides went into the interval with the score still 0-0.
Liverpool Increase the Pressure After the Break
Liverpool returned for the second half with a more aggressive approach. The Reds began pushing higher up the pitch and launched a series of attacks toward the Como penalty area.
The increased attacking pressure allowed Liverpool to create several promising situations in front of goal. However, the team struggled to convert those opportunities into goals.
The final pass was not always accurate enough, while Liverpool’s finishing also prevented them from taking the lead. Despite producing more attacking pressure after the break, the Reds could not find the decisive touch.
Como, meanwhile, refused to simply sit back and absorb pressure. The Italian side also managed to create opportunities of their own and tested Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili on several occasions.
Mamardashvili was forced into a number of saves to keep Como from breaking the deadlock. His performance helped ensure that Liverpool remained level even when the opposition threatened.
Liverpool Unable to Find a Breakthrough
As the second half continued, Liverpool continued searching for an opening goal. The Reds moved the ball forward with greater urgency, but Como remained difficult to penetrate.
The lack of clinical finishing ultimately proved costly for Liverpool. Several attacks appeared capable of producing a goal, yet the final execution was not good enough to change the scoreline.
Como also had opportunities to punish Liverpool, but Mamardashvili and the defensive structure in front of him managed to prevent the Italian side from taking advantage.
When the final whistle was blown, neither team had managed to score. The match therefore ended 0-0, giving both sides a clean sheet but leaving Liverpool without a win in their first pre-season meeting with Como.
With another friendly between the two teams scheduled just hours later, both coaching staffs will have another opportunity to assess their players and make adjustments.
Liverpool Continue Pre-Season Preparations
Although Liverpool would have preferred to begin their preparations with a victory, the result gives the coaching staff valuable information ahead of the new campaign.
Pre-season fixtures are primarily designed to improve fitness, develop tactical understanding and provide opportunities for players to compete for places in the squad. As a result, the 0-0 draw is unlikely to be viewed as a major concern at this stage.
The Reds will now turn their attention to the second meeting with Como. The additional fixture should give more players an opportunity to get minutes and allow the coaching staff to test different combinations.
Liverpool will also be looking for a more clinical performance in front of goal after failing to capitalize on their chances in the first encounter.
Liverpool Lineup
Liverpool lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Tsimikas, Chambers, Endo, Ramsay; Mac Allister, Nyoni; Munoz, McConnell, Elliott; Chiesa.
Head Coach: Andoni Iraola
Como Lineup
Como also deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Como: Tornqvist; Valle, Kempf, Dossena, Smolcic; Perrone, Caqueret; Diao, Lahdo, Kuhn; Morata.
Head Coach: Cesc Fabregas
The goalless draw means Liverpool will have to wait for their next opportunity to secure a pre-season victory. With another meeting against Como coming up later in the day, the Reds will hope to sharpen their attacking play and produce a more decisive performance in front of goal.
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