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Liverpool wrapped up their 2026–27 preseason preparations with two friendlies against Como. A 70-minute session at the training ground was followed by a match at Anfield, which the Reds claimed 2–0.
Andoni Iraola secured his first unofficial home win as Liverpool manager, and the Spaniard will have taken plenty of positives from his side's display against the Serie A club, who are gearing up for their debut Champions League campaign.
Nico Paz made his first appearance since the World Cup, while new recruit Trevoh Chalobah made his first start for Como. But it was one player in red who truly stole the spotlight in Liverpool's second friendly.
Here are four key takeaways from Liverpool's preseason win over Como.
Jérémy Jacquet Steals The Show
Suddenly, it's becoming clear why Liverpool aren't losing sleep over the center back position.
A short-term fix was needed, and Barcelona's Ronald Araújo has arrived on loan. But the Reds are unlikely to pursue further defensive reinforcements before the transfer deadline. The reason? Jérémy Jacquet is the real deal.
The young French defender, who officially joined the club this summer following Liverpool's $74 million agreement with Rennes back in January, has been carefully eased into life on Merseyside. A shoulder injury disrupted the latter half of his 2025–26 season, pushing back his unofficial debut to Sunday.
Liverpool's cautious approach limited his appearance to just 45 minutes, but in that opening half at Anfield, Jacquet showcased the qualities that have made him one of Europe's most coveted center back prospects.
His close-range goal was simply the icing on the cake of a dominant display that highlighted his proactivity and composure on the ball. Jacquet is aggressive and proactive in defense, yet equally impressive as a recovery defender.
He is every bit the archetypal modern defender, and partnering Virgil van Dijk in his debut season will only accelerate his development.
Cody Gakpo Still in Limbo
Liverpool don't exactly want to part ways with Cody Gakpo this summer, but they'd likely approve a sale to Tottenham Hotspur if a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola materializes.
The Dutch winger enters the summer following a disappointing 2025–26 campaign, in which he managed just 15 goal contributions across 52 appearances in all competitions — his least productive full season at the club — with fans still lamenting Luis Díaz's departure to Bayern Munich.
As a result, supporters have warmed to the idea of selling Gakpo for the right price. A reported asking fee of $80 million seems reasonable, though his performance on Sunday may have complicated the club's efforts to move him on.
Gakpo broke the deadlock with a composed left-footed finish before teeing up Jacquet for his debut goal. He didn't look entirely at ease at Anfield, however, perhaps sensing this could be his final appearance for the club.
Dutch outlet Voetbal International reports that Gakpo has agreed personal terms with Spurs and is awaiting a fee agreement between the two clubs. After his display against Como, Roberto De Zerbi will surely be eager to get the 27-year-old signed as quickly as possible.
Too Much Too Soon For Standout Youngster?
It appears Liverpool won't be seeking a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah in the transfer window this summer. The Reds have brought in Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, and the Spanish international stepped in for Gakpo on the left on Sunday.
Barcola, meanwhile, is versatile across both wings but has primarily featured as a left-sided attacker during his time at PSG.
How Iraola addresses Salah's absence remains one of the defining questions surrounding his first Liverpool squad. During the Egyptian's dip in form last season, Arne Slot turned to Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong. The former is unlikely to feature in Iraola's plans, while fans remain unconvinced about Frimpong's suitability for the Premier League.
Against Como, teenage talent Rio Ngumoha operated on the right flank opposite Gakpo, despite having predominantly featured on the left wing at Merseyside. Iraola has previously noted it would be a "big help" to have wingers comfortable on either side, and Ngumoha is expected to fill Salah's role.
Ngumoha's showing at Anfield was solid enough, and he certainly possesses the attributes to develop into an effective right winger. He's no one-dimensional player, frequently beating opponents through technical ability rather than sheer pace.
Yet by placing the weight of replacing one of the club's all-time greats on his shoulders, one has to wonder whether the pressure may be coming a little too early for the youngster.
Andoni Iraola Encouraged By Fitness Levels
Iraola's style of play is not for the faint-hearted. A disciple of Marcelo Bielsa, the Spaniard demands relentless intensity for the full 90 minutes. The effectiveness of his system hinges entirely on the physical condition of his players, who are expected to "play one-on-one all over the pitch, to press high and to always be on the front foot," as Milos Kerkez described it.
That made his post-match comments following the 3–2 loss to Monaco — when his side squandered a 2–0 lead for the second match running — all the more concerning. He admitted his team "doesn't have much more, in terms of the levels required to play like this" beyond the opening 30 minutes.
However, Iraola was more upbeat after the Como match, stating: "I think we are better than we were last week. Still, I hope next week we are better than we were today."
He added: "But today a lot of players played 90 minutes, 80 minutes, and they finished [with] no cramps, apparently nothing major. So, it's keep building these fitness levels; this [mentality] even when you are not as fresh [to] keep the focus so you don't make the big mistakes."
That said, Liverpool are not yet at the level Iraola demands, and it's worth noting that Bournemouth failed to win any of their opening nine Premier League fixtures under the Spaniard.
It will take time for 'Iraola-ball' to truly hit its stride.