Liverpool’s Pre-Season Friendly Features Gruesome Injury
LFCTV were forced to apologise live on air after accidentally broadcasting a gruesome injury to a Como defender during Liverpool’s pre-season friendly on Sunday.
The incident came in the first of two games between the sides, with Cesc Fabregas’ newly promoted Champions League outfit facing two different Liverpool line-ups on the same day. One XI played a 70-minute behind-closed-doors clash at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, before a more senior Reds side took to the Anfield pitch later in front of supporters.
Horror moment in behind-closed-doors clash
The early game finished 0-0 and was largely uneventful in front of goal, despite Liverpool fielding the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas and summer signing Victor Munoz. Instead, it was a sickening injury to Alberto Dossena that became the talking point.
The Como centre-back landed awkwardly on his hand after challenging in the air with James McConnell and Will Wright. He stayed down immediately. Cameras then cut to a close-up that revealed a clearly dislocated finger.
Lead commentator John Bradley reacted in real time on LFCTV. "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 replays rolled.
Co-commentator Natashia Dowie could only respond: "Woah that's not nice."
The pictures were graphic enough for the channel to quickly row back. Presenter Steve Hunter stepped in with an on-air apology, conscious of the lunchtime audience.
"Apologies if you are just trying to have your lunch or if you're in, who knows, San Diego having a very early breakfast," he said. "Sometimes you just see things that make you squirm."
Play was halted briefly while Dossena received treatment and had the finger bandaged. Remarkably, the 27-year-old played on and completed the remaining six minutes.
The game itself offered few clear chances, but Liverpool at least took encouragement from the sharp display of Munoz and another composed outing from teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni.
Stronger Liverpool XI steps up at Anfield
For the second match of the day, Andoni Iraola turned to a more experienced line-up as Liverpool moved closer to the start of the new Premier League season.
The Reds boss handed a first pre-season appearance to new signing Jeremy Jacquet, who started alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. Recent loan arrival Ronald Araujo was named on the bench, joined by Lewis Koumas, Munoz, Nyoni, Wright and Mor Talla Ndiaye, all of whom had featured in the earlier fixture at Kirkby.
Speaking before the Como double-header, Iraola had underlined the importance of the friendlies as he tries to sharpen his squad’s fitness and identity.
"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 drew on last weekend’s meeting with Monaco as a reference point for where his team stand.
"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."
That theme of intensity runs through everything Iraola has said this summer.
"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 boost for the Spaniard is the full return of his international contingent.
"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."
Two games, one grim injury, and a manager demanding more edge. Liverpool’s pre-season is no longer about easing back into rhythm; it’s about proving those words on the pitch.
