Liverpool
ComoBy Kelechi Balogun — Football expert specializing in European and American leagues
The Sunday atmosphere at Anfield is set to be electric, with Liverpool and Como locking horns not once but twice on the same day. While the morning session behind closed doors will be a quiet affair reserved for reserves, the evening clash between the senior sides promises to be a goal-filled spectacle that attacking football fans will thoroughly enjoy.
Liverpool’s preseason has been a mixed bag. On one hand, the Merseysiders have shown they can get the job done, comfortably outgunning Sunderland 4-2 and grinding out a 1-0 win over Wrexham. On the other hand, their most recent friendlies have exposed a worrying tendency to lose control. Against Leeds (2-4) and Monaco (2-3), the Reds started brightly, raced to 2-0 leads, and then completely fell apart, losing both matches. Functional dips after the break are seriously undermining the team’s consistency.
The summer overhaul has predictably been massive: the departures of Salah, Robertson, and Konaté closed an entire era. In response, the club brought in a powerful influx – Jakić from Rennes for €55 million, Muñoz from Osasuna for €34.5 million, and Araújo on loan. But until the new signings fully integrate, manager Andoni Iraola is forced to navigate preseason amid a squad transition: the old core is gone, and the revamped team is still taking shape.
Liverpool’s treatment room is overflowing, but the most significant absences are Hugo Ekitike, recovering from a ruptured Achilles, and Conor Bradley, nursing a knee injury. A particular headache for Iraola is Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine reached the World Cup final, earned a well-deserved break, and only recently returned to training. The midfielder’s form is far from ideal.
Cesc Fàbregas’ ambitious project arrives at Anfield as one of Europe’s most intriguing teams. The Italians are putting together a strong preseason and show no fear against big-name opponents. At the end of July, Como beat Portuguese side Famalicão 3-2 in a high-scoring affair, and more recently they gave Arsenal a fierce battle. At the Emirates, Fàbregas’ men showed they are an organized unit: they equalised the hosts’ goal with a precise strike from Martin Baturina (1-1) and only lost in a tense penalty shootout (3-4).
Como’s transfer campaign is driven by the club’s historic Champions League debut. The board is actively building the squad for European competition and is sparing no expense to strengthen under Fàbregas. The summer’s headline deal was the purchase of Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah. In addition, the ranks have been bolstered by experienced Luis Milla, young Mattia Liberali, and Yan Couto, on loan from Borussia Dortmund.
There is no deep injury crisis for Como ahead of the Anfield trip, but a couple of issues do concern Fàbregas. Jayden Addai remains sidelined with a long-term Achilles injury. The coach also won’t rush Nico Paz into action – the Argentine has only just returned from an extended break after the 2026 World Cup and missed all of preseason. However, freshly-signed Trevoh Chalobah is eager to play and already got his first minutes in the recent friendly against Arsenal.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson – Frimpong, van Dijk, Ndukwe, Tsimikas – Szoboszlai, Gravenberch – Chiesa, Wirtz, Gakpo – Isak
Unavailable: Gomez, Bradley, Ekitike, Leoni, Jaroš, Bajčetić (all injured)
Head coach: Andoni Iraola
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez – Couto, Ramón, Kempf, Valle – De Cunha, Perrone – Liberali, Baturina, Diao – Douvikas
Unavailable: Addai (injured), Paz (doubtful)
Head coach: Cesc Fàbregas
Main prediction: The strongest argument in Liverpool’s favour is the home advantage. Even during a clearly disappointing season, the Reds managed 10 wins in 19 home league matches in the ultra-competitive Premier League. Moreover, the Merseysiders must have learned serious lessons from recent games where they squandered comfortable leads. For all of Como’s strength and ambition, the club is still in its infancy, and playing at a legendary stadium against a top team with vast European experience is a fundamentally different level of pressure – even in a friendly. In these circumstances, the hosts’ class and cohesion should prove decisive. We back a Liverpool win at 1.80.
Total goals prediction: Both sides are dangerous in attack but have major defensive frailties. Como have conceded in every preseason friendly, and at least four goals have been scored in three of their five matches. Liverpool’s record is similar – three high-scoring games out of four. The open style of both teams, combined with the friendly nature of the fixture, promises a lively shootout with plenty of chances at both ends. Our pick: over 3.5 goals at 2.05.
The editorial prediction is provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as a direct call to action. Every reader should do their own analysis before deciding on a bet.
Liverpool4-2-3-1
Como4-2-3-1Predictions for Liverpool vs Como will appear soon.
The match takes place on 16 August 2026 at 18:00 at Anfield, Liverpool's home stadium.
The main prediction is a Liverpool win, with odds of 1.80.
Liverpool are missing Hugo Ekitike (ruptured Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee injury), as well as Gomez, Leoni, Jaroš, and Bajčetić.
The recommendation is over 3.5 total goals at odds of 2.05, citing both teams' attacking threat and defensive frailties.
Como beat Famalicão 3-2 and held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw before losing on penalties, showing they are competitive against strong opponents.
Trevoh Chalobah, signed from Chelsea, is eager to play and already got minutes against Arsenal.