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Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Como in the first of today’s two pre-season friendlies, with Andoni Iraola using the behind-closed-doors fixture to give several fringe and younger players valuable minutes ahead of the new Premier League season. The match at the AXA Training Centre consisted of two 35-minute halves, with Liverpool fielding a very different side to the team expected to feature in the second game at Anfield later today. Liverpool XI Mamardashvili; Ramsay, Endo, Chambers, Tsimikas; Nyoni, McConnell; Elliott, Mac Allister, Muñoz; Chiesa. Alexis Mac Allister was the biggest first-team name in the starting XI as he continued his return to full fitness, while Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott were also given an opportunity to impress. A quiet first half Liverpool struggled to find their rhythm during the opening 35 minutes. There was plenty of possession, but the Reds found it difficult to create clear-cut opportunities against a Como side that were well organised defensively. Victor Muñoz was one of the more encouraging players, with his pace and movement providing Liverpool with an outlet in behind. The Spaniard has recently been discussed as a potential option through the middle for Iraola, and another appearance leading the line or operating in advanced areas will have given the manager more information about his versatility. Mac Allister gets valuable minutes One of the most positive aspects of the match was simply seeing Mac Allister back on the pitch. The Argentina international only recently returned to Liverpool following his extended break and today’s game represented an important step in getting him ready for competitive football. With Liverpool’s midfield balance one of the biggest talking points of pre-season, getting Mac Allister back to full fitness could be hugely important for Iraola. Changes at half-time Iraola made three changes at the interval, with the confirmed changes Koumas for Muñoz, Morrison for Elliott and Wright for Chiesa. The changes gave more youngsters an opportunity to get minutes before the final whistle. The game ultimately remained goalless, meaning Liverpool couldn’t find the breakthrough despite having opportunities to do so. Defensive clean sheet a positive After conceding four goals against Leeds and another three against Monaco in their previous two pre-season matches, keeping a clean sheet will at least provide Iraola with something positive to take from the first game. Liverpool have been working on improving their defensive organisation and making sure their high-intensity style doesn’t leave them exposed. A 0-0 draw isn’t particularly exciting, but a clean sheet is certainly better than another defensive collapse. Attention now turns to Anfield The first match was always going to be about giving players minutes rather than producing Liverpool’s strongest possible XI. The real spectacle comes later. Liverpool will face Como again at 6pm at Anfield, with the first-team players expected to feature in front of the supporters. That game should give us a much clearer indication of Iraola’s plans for the Premier League opener against Newcastle. There will be particular attention on Ronald Araújo and Jérémy Jacquet, who are expected to be available, while the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai could all be involved. One down, one to go It wasn’t a classic at the AXA. But that wasn’t really the point. Iraola has now given another group of players valuable minutes, Mac Allister has continued his return to fitness and Liverpool have managed to keep a clean sheet. Now we get to see the big guns. The second Como game at Anfield should provide a much better indication of how ready this Liverpool team really is for the new Premier League season. 🔴 Liverpool 0-0 Como First friendly: AXA Training Centre Second friendly: Anfield, 6pm BST Jamie (The Kopite View)