Liverpool are taking on Como in a behind closed doors friendly at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, with kick-off at 11.30am. The match consists of two 35-minute halves and is the first of two between the clubs today (Sunday), with the second fixture at Anfield in front of supporters at 6pm.
Liverpool team news
Alexis Mac Allister, who was given a break after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina, makes his first appearance of pre-season. He is joined in the starting line-up by a number of other first-team players, including new signing Victor Munoz.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Ramsay, Endo, Chambers, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Nyoni, McConnell, Elliott, Chiesa, Munoz. Subs: Davies, Koumas, Morrison, Ndiaye, W. Wright, Sonni-Lambie, Pitt.
Pre-season form and context
Liverpool have had a mixed pre-season under new head coach Andoni Iraola, winning their first two friendlies against Sunderland and Wrexham before throwing away two-goal leads when beaten by Leeds United and Monaco. The double-header against Como, managed by former Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, gives Iraola one final chance to assess every fit and available member of his senior squad as well as a number of the club's youngsters.
The substitutes bench has a distinctly youthful look, with the starting team heavily made up of senior squad members.
