| Liverpool vs Como | |
| MATCH | Club Friendlies |
| DATE | 16 - 08 - 2026 |
| TIME | 10.30 PM IST |
| STADIUM | Stadium |
Liverpool vs Como: Match Preview
Liverpool continue their preparations for the new season when they take on Como in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, with both sides looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of competitive football.
The Reds have provided plenty of entertainment during their summer schedule, with an impressive 18 goals scored across their four friendly matches. Liverpool have found the net in every game, but their defensive performances have raised concerns after conceding heavily in their latest outings.
Liverpool suffered consecutive defeats against Leeds United and Monaco, despite taking two-goal leads in both matches. Against Monaco, goals from Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak initially put the Reds in control, but the French side produced a dramatic comeback through Aleksandr Golovin, Mika Biereth and Paris Brunner, who scored the decisive goal late in the match.
Those defensive problems could lead to an immediate opportunity for new signing Ronald Araujo. The Barcelona centre-back has joined Liverpool on loan and is expected to make his first appearance for the club at Anfield on August 16.
The arrival of Araujo could provide additional stability at the back, with the Uruguay international potentially forming a central defensive partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk.
Como, meanwhile, arrive after an encouraging pre-season campaign under former Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas returned to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday as his Como side faced Arsenal. The visitors took a share of the spoils in normal time, with Myles Lewis-Skelly's opener cancelled out by a powerful effort from Martin Baturina.
Como eventually lost the contest on penalties, with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya saving one of the Italian side's spot kicks.
That penalty defeat remains Como's only setback of pre-season. Fabregas' side have recorded two wins and three draws during their summer preparations and are yet to lose in normal time.
The Italian side have also demonstrated their attacking potential. Como have scored in all five of their friendly matches while also conceding in every game, producing 10 goals themselves and allowing seven at the other end.
The match will be the first meeting between Liverpool and Como in any competition. However, with both clubs expected to participate in European football, there is a possibility that Sunday's friendly could eventually be followed by competitive encounters in the Champions League.
Liverpool Friendly Form
Liverpool's recent pre-season results:
Win – Win – Loss – Loss
The Reds have scored freely but need to improve defensively after conceding seven goals across their last two matches.
Como Friendly Form
Como's pre-season record:
Draw – Win – Draw – Win – Draw
Fabregas' side remain unbeaten in normal time during their preparations for the new campaign.
Team News
Liverpool continue to deal with several fitness concerns ahead of the new season.
Joe Gomez is unavailable because of a muscle problem, while Giovanni Leoni is recovering from an ACL injury. Jayden Danns has a thigh issue, Hugo Ekitike is dealing with an Achilles problem and Conor Bradley remains sidelined with a knee injury.
There is more positive news regarding Jeremy Jacquet and Curtis Jones, who have both been seen training ahead of the upcoming double-header. Alexis Mac Allister has also returned to the squad after Argentina's run to the World Cup final.
Ronald Araujo has been training with his new teammates and could make his Liverpool debut against Como. His inclusion alongside Virgil van Dijk would offer a glimpse of what could become Liverpool's preferred central-defensive partnership during the 2026-27 campaign.
Como will be hoping to have Nico Paz available. The highly rated playmaker was present at the Emirates Stadium but did not feature against Arsenal, so his availability for this fixture remains uncertain.
Defender Jacobo Ramon, another former Real Madrid prospect, is expected to play an important role in Como's defence.
Up front, Alvaro Morata could drop to the bench, with Anastasios Douvikas potentially receiving the starting role as the central striker.
Liverpool vs Como Prediction
Liverpool's attacking output has been impressive throughout pre-season, but their defensive weaknesses have been impossible to ignore. The arrival of Araujo could help address those problems, although the centre-back may need time to adapt to his new surroundings.
Como have shown impressive consistency under Fabregas and should provide Liverpool with another useful test. Their ability to score regularly means the Reds cannot afford another defensive collapse.
Liverpool should have enough attacking quality to claim victory, particularly with home advantage, but Como's recent form suggests they can make this an entertaining contest.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Como
