Alberto Dossena dislocated his finger during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Como on Sunday, and LFCTV apologised live on air after accidentally showing the injury. The incident occurred in the first of two matches between the sides, a behind-closed-doors encounter at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby.
Injury during aerial duel
Dossena, a 27-year-old centre-back, fell awkwardly on his hand after challenging for an aerial duel with James McConnell and Will Wright. He stayed down on the turf before a close-up showed that he had suffered a dislocated finger.
Lead LFCTV commentator John Bradley said: "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." Co-commentator Natashia Dowie added: "Woah that's not nice."
Hunter continued: "Apologies if you are just trying to have your lunch or if you're in, who knows, San Diego having a very early breakfast. Sometimes you just see things that make you squirm."
Match details and reaction
The incident led to a brief stoppage, but Dossena played on for the remaining six minutes after being bandaged up. The goalless stalemate was a match of few goalscoring chances, but the lively performances of summer signing Victor Munoz and young midfielder Trey Nyoni were at least a positive for the hosts.
Liverpool and Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, played twice in one day. The first match was shortened to 70 minutes and ended 0-0, with Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas and Munoz among the experienced starters for Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola named a stronger XI for the second match and handed the first appearance of pre-season to new boy Jeremy Jacquet alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. Recent loan addition Ronald Araujo was named among the substitutes, with Lewis Koumas, Munoz, Nyoni, Wright and Mor Talla Ndiaye alongside him having all featured in the earlier game.
Iraola's pre-match comments
Speaking before the two friendlies, Liverpool boss Iraola said: "This will be a very good, and very important, test for us as we finalise our preparations for the new Premier League season."
He added: "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."
"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."
"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."
