Victor Munoz impressed on his first Liverpool start as the Reds played out an entertaining 0-0 draw with Como in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA Training Centre.
The Spaniard was a constant threat to the Serie A defence, creating numerous chances for his team-mates following his summer move from Osasuna. Liverpool started brightly and could have taken an early lead after smart play from Munoz down the left, but Trey Nyoni headed wide from his cross.
Mac Allister returns and Chiesa denied
Alexis Mac Allister made his first pre-season appearance following his World Cup exploits and looked sharp in midfield, completing just short of an hour. He picked out Federico Chiesa with a smart through-ball, but the Italian was denied by the Como goalkeeper from a tight angle.
Chiesa was denied again after the break following more smart play from Munoz, as his glancing header was kept out at the near post. Munoz then fired into the side-netting after a superb individual run over half the length of the pitch.
Late chances and player ratings
The Reds finished strongly, with substitutes Lewis Koumas and Will Wright both going close. Koumas stole possession on the edge of the box but curled wide on his weaker foot, and Nyoni picked out Wright with a superb through-ball in the last minute, but the former Salford City forward was denied by a last-gasp block.
While Liverpool were unable to break the deadlock, it was a worthwhile exercise as a number of players gained valuable minutes. Here are the ECHO's player ratings:
- Giorgi Mamardashvili 6 – Rarely tested, with his first save not coming until the second half. His distribution needs improvement, as his kicking put Liverpool under pressure.
- Calvin Ramsay 7 – Handled the pace of Assane Diao well, made a vital block, but would have liked to offer more offensively.
- Wataru Endo 7 – Struggled at times against Diao's pace but kept Alvaro Morata quiet and completed the full 70 minutes.
- Luke Chambers 7 – Encouraging performance in an unfavoured centre-back position, looked calm and helped keep a clean sheet.
- Kostas Tsimikas 6 – Captain for the day, improved after the break and sent in a couple of dangerous crosses.
- Trey Nyoni 7 – Another promising performance, headed wide early on and set up Wright with a brilliant through-ball at the death.
- Alexis Mac Allister 7 – Smart in possession, passed the ball well and broke the defensive line with a number of smart passes.
- James McConnell 7 – Pressed hard throughout and was never afraid of getting stuck in to win back possession.
- Harvey Elliott 6 – A frustrating day, looked low on confidence and repeatedly moved central to see more of the ball.
- Victor Munoz 8 – A very good first start, was Liverpool's star player, a constant threat with his pace and created all of the Reds' best chances.
- Federico Chiesa 7 – Encouraging performance, made numerous selfless runs and twice went close.
Substitutes
- Lewis Koumas (on for Munoz, 46) 7 – Almost made an immediate impact, but shot wide and probably should have won it.
- Will Wright (on for Chiesa, 46) 7 – Unlucky not to win it at the death, looked a real threat with his pressing.
- Kieran Morrison (on for Elliott, 46) 6 – Pressed well and looked smart when on the ball.
- Mor Talla Ndiaye (on for Mac Allister, 59) N/A – Came on for the final 10 minutes or so, quick and powerful but had little to do defensively.
- Lucas Pitt (on for Ramsay, 68) N/A – An unofficial Liverpool debut for the youngster.
- Josh Sonni-Lambie (on for McConnell, 68) N/A – More senior minutes for the young forward.
