Liverpool XI vs Como: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for friendly

Liverpool are sweating over Jeremy Jacquet’s fitness as they prepare to face Como in their final pre-season friendlies of the summer.

Andoni Iraola’s side are looking light in certain positions going into the new Premier League campaign, where the former Bournemouth boss will oversee his first games in charge of his new club.

A particular problem area is in central defence, with three injury concerns that left Virgil van Dijk as the only fit centre-back available.

Jacquet has been struggling with an unspecfied issue that led him to miss the recent 3-2 defeat by Monaco.

The £60million arrival from Rennes had previously seen last season curtailed with a shoulder problem, and he has not yet played in pre-season for his new side. He is, however, back in team training ahead of the visit of Como.

Iraola is being cautious with his new signing, and he has acted in the transfer market, bringing in Ronald Araujo in on loan from Barcelona.

Elsewhere, Giovanni Leoni continues his recovery from the ACL injury tha the sustained on debut this time last year in the Carabao Cup, while Joe Gomez limped off in the 4-2 win over Sunderland, replaced by Ifeanyi Ndukwe. That muscle injury is likely to scupper his start to the season.

Newly-signed youngsters Ndukwe and Talla Ndiaye have both featured in pre-season, as has Luke Chambers.

Iraola has also had to deal with the loss of Ibrahima Konate, who left the club on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract, signing for Real Madrid.

Curtis Jones has also been hampered with a hip injury, despite being linked with a move to Inter Milan.

The midfielder returned to training having missed the defeat by Monaco.

There is also concern over World Cup duo Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, who have both returned to the club, but will have their fitness levels monitored after their respective nations’ run to the final.

Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are longer-term absentees with knee and Achilles injuries respectively.

Otherwise, it is as you were for Iraola in terms of personnel. Van Dijk returned to action against Monaco, and so did first-choice goalkeeper Alisson.

It remains to be seen whether the Spaniard will want to try fielding what he believes to be his strongest XI in the back-to-back games on Sunday, but what he lacks in senior backup, he has plentiful young starlets ready to step in.

Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Ngumouha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Doubts: Jacquet, Jones, Mac Allister, Munoz

Injured: Bradley, Leoni, Ekitike, Gomez, Danns

Venue: Anfield

Kick offs: Behind closed doors: 11.30am BST, ticketed friendly: 6pm BST on Sunday, August 16, 2026