Liverpool vs Como Today: The Double-Header That Could Reveal Iraola’s Best XI
Liverpool’s final pre-season test is not going to be a normal friendly.
On Sunday, Liverpool vs Como will happen twice.
The first meeting is being played behind closed doors at the AXA Training Centre, while the main fixture takes place at Anfield at 6pm BST in front of supporters. Both games are part of Liverpool’s final preparations before the new Premier League season begins.
That unusual schedule makes this a fascinating day for Liverpool fans.
New head coach Andoni Iraola has one final opportunity to look at his squad before Liverpool travel to face Newcastle United in their Premier League opener on August 23.
And with Liverpool having suffered defeats against Leeds United and Monaco during pre-season, this is not simply about getting through another friendly.
There are still questions to answer.
Can Liverpool defend better?
Which players have done enough to start against Newcastle?
How will the new signings fit?
And can Iraola’s team finish pre-season with the kind of performance that gives supporters confidence?
Those questions make Liverpool vs Como today much more interesting than a normal summer fixture.
Liverpool vs Como Match Details
Match
Liverpool vs Como
Competition
Pre-season friendly
Date
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Venue
Anfield
Kick-off
6pm BST
Liverpool manager
Andoni Iraola
Como manager
Cesc Fàbregas
The main Liverpool vs Como fixture at Anfield kicks off at 6pm BST.
There is also an earlier meeting at the AXA Training Centre at 11:30am BST, meaning Liverpool will effectively play two matches against Como on the same day.
Como’s official ticket information also confirms the Anfield fixture for Sunday, August 16 at 6pm UK time.
Liverpool vs Como Today: Why Are They Playing Twice?
This is the part that makes today’s schedule unusual.
Instead of giving only 11 or 16 players a final pre-season run-out, Liverpool can use the double-header to give almost the entire squad meaningful minutes.
The first game is behind closed doors.
The second is the main Anfield fixture, expected to feature a stronger side and give Iraola a better indication of how his preferred starting XI is taking shape.
For the manager, it is almost like having two final examinations on the same day.
For the players, it is one last chance to make an impression.
And for supporters, it creates two separate storylines.
Liverpool vs Como Live Score
Fans searching for the Liverpool vs Como live score should be aware that there are two matches today.
That is important because the early AXA game and the 6pm Anfield game should not be treated as one fixture.
The main match at Anfield is scheduled for 6pm BST, while the earlier game starts at 11:30am BST.
Live-score services such as FotMob are listing Liverpool vs Como with live updates, statistics, lineups and match commentary.
For our coverage, the Anfield match is the main focus.
Liverpool vs Como Prediction
The big question is simple: who should win the Liverpool vs Como prediction?
Liverpool are the obvious favourites on paper.
They have home advantage, a deeper squad and Premier League-level quality throughout the team.
But Como are not coming to Anfield simply to make up the numbers.
They finished fourth in Serie A last season and have earned a place in the Champions League, making them one of the more interesting teams in European football this season.
Cesc Fàbregas has also built a side that is comfortable playing with the ball.
Liverpool should create more chances and have enough attacking quality to win the game.
But I would not expect a comfortable victory.
Liverpool have conceded 10 goals across their last five matches, according to TNT Sports’ current preview, so Como could find opportunities if the Reds’ defensive problems continue.
Prediction: Liverpool win Correct score: Liverpool 2-1 Como Both teams to score: Yes
Interestingly, TNT Sports has also gone with a 2-1 Liverpool prediction, while highlighting both-teams-to-score as its main tip.
Liverpool Team News Today
The latest Liverpool team news today is particularly interesting because Iraola has the luxury — and challenge — of managing two games in one day.
Liverpool have several players unavailable.
According to FotMob’s current match information, Hugo Ekitiké, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Stefan Bajcetic are listed as unavailable.
Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister has returned to training following the World Cup, giving Iraola another important midfield option. Reuters also reports that Liverpool have added Ronald Araújo on loan from Barcelona, strengthening their defensive options.
The double-header should allow Iraola to spread minutes across the squad rather than asking his strongest players to play a full match before the Premier League opener.
Liverpool vs Como Lineups
The Liverpool vs Como lineups are one of the biggest reasons to follow the match closely.
The early game already provides a clue about Iraola’s thinking.
Liverpool selected a strong side for the first meeting, including Alexis Mac Allister, showing that the manager is not treating the double-header simply as a youth-team exercise.
However, the main Anfield XI could look considerably different.
Liverpool predicted lineup
GK: Alisson
DEF: Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konaté, Ronald Araújo, Andy Robertson
MID: Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz
ATT: Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Rio Ngumoha
This is a predicted XI, not the confirmed lineup.
The official team sheet should be used once it is released.
Como predicted lineup
GK: Goalkeeper selection
DEF: Como’s strongest available defensive unit
MID: Cesc Fàbregas is expected to use a technical midfield capable of playing through Liverpool’s press
ATT: Como should retain enough attacking quality to test Liverpool’s defence
Because Como are also involved in the double-header, their team selection could change significantly between the two matches.
The Real Liverpool vs Como Story Is Not the Result
This is where today’s game becomes more interesting.
Liverpool already know they can score goals.
The bigger question is whether they can become more reliable without the ball.
Their 3-2 defeat to Monaco exposed familiar defensive problems.
Liverpool took a 2-0 lead but allowed Monaco to come back and win the match. The Guardian reported that Iraola admitted there was still work to do, particularly with Liverpool’s high defensive line.
That makes Como a very useful opponent.
They finished fourth in Serie A and are heading into a Champions League campaign, so they are not a typical pre-season opponent.
If Liverpool can control Como while maintaining their attacking intensity, it would be a positive sign.
Liverpool vs Como Stats
The available Liverpool vs Como stats do not offer much historical head-to-head information because these clubs rarely meet.
That actually makes today’s game more useful tactically.
Instead of relying heavily on old H2H numbers, the more relevant statistics are current form and recent performances.
Liverpool’s recent picture
Liverpool’s recent pre-season results have included:
The Monaco defeat is particularly relevant because Liverpool led 2-0 before losing 3-2.
Como’s recent picture
Como finished fourth in Serie A last season and have already tested themselves against strong opposition during their preparations.
Their recent results listed by Sky Sports include a 4-1 win over Cremonese, a 1-0 win against Parma and a 1-0 victory over Verona.
That is why Como should not be underestimated.
Liverpool vs Como: The Three Things I Will Watch
1. Can Liverpool defend a high line better?
This is the biggest question.
Iraola wants an energetic, aggressive team.
But aggressive football can leave space behind the defence.
Monaco exposed that problem.
Como will be looking for the same spaces.
2. How will Florian Wirtz fit?
Liverpool’s attacking midfield options are one of the most exciting parts of this squad.
Wirtz can operate between the lines and help connect midfield with the forwards.
Against a team like Como, his movement could be more important than simply scoring or assisting.
3. Who gets the Newcastle spot?
This might be the most important question of the day.
Liverpool start their Premier League campaign against Newcastle on August 23.
That means today’s performance could directly influence Iraola’s first competitive selection.
A strong performance from a fringe player could change the manager’s plans.
Liverpool vs Como Where to Watch
For fans searching for Liverpool vs Como where to watch, the main Anfield match will be available through LFCTV, with All Red Video providing the streaming option for supporters in the UK.
The double-header is also being covered through Liverpool’s official media channels.
In the United States, current listings indicate coverage through FuboTV and Paramount+ for the relevant fixture.
Broadcast availability can vary by country, so supporters should check their local licensed broadcaster.
Liverpool vs Como Live Stream
The Liverpool vs Como live stream is one of the most searched parts of today’s fixture.
For UK viewers, LFCTV / All Red Video is the main official option listed for the friendly.
Liverpool’s official media coverage also includes live audio commentary, match replays and highlights through All Red Video.
It is better to use official or licensed platforms rather than unofficial streaming websites.
Liverpool vs Como Results
There is an important distinction when searching for Liverpool vs Como results today.
The match is a pre-season friendly, and because Liverpool are playing Como twice, there can be confusion between the AXA game and the Anfield game.
The early fixture is scheduled for 11:30am BST, while the main Anfield game begins at 6pm BST.
Once both matches are completed, the two results should be listed separately.
What Cesc Fàbregas Wants From Como
Liverpool are not the only club with something to gain.
Como coach Cesc Fàbregas has urged his players to make the most of the Liverpool test before their historic Champions League season.
That gives Como extra motivation.
For a club preparing for Champions League football, playing at Anfield against Liverpool is an excellent opportunity to test the team’s level.
And because Como are not under the same pressure to win, they could play with freedom.
That could make them dangerous.
What Andoni Iraola Wants From Liverpool
Iraola has described the Como double-header as an important test before the Premier League begins.
The new Liverpool manager wants an energetic, high-intensity side, but he also knows the team still needs greater consistency.
Liverpool vs Como today is not just another friendly.
It is Liverpool’s final opportunity to sharpen their plans before the Premier League begins.
It is also a rare double-header, giving Iraola the chance to use almost his entire squad and compare different combinations in a single day.
Como arrive with their own ambition after an impressive Serie A campaign and a place in the Champions League.
Liverpool arrive with more questions.
The score will matter, of course.
But the bigger story will be whether Iraola can see the team he wants taking shape.
Two games. One day. One week before the real test begins.
That is what makes Liverpool vs Como worth watching
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thabo Mokoena
Football Writer & Arsenal Transfer News Contributor
Thabo Mokoena is a football writer and passionate Arsenal
supporter covering the latest Arsenal transfer news, rumours,
match updates and stories surrounding the Gunners.
His coverage focuses on clear, engaging football updates,
transfer developments and the stories that matter most to
Arsenal fans.
