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Liverpool closed out pre-season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Italian side Como, with Jeremy Jacquet the talk of Anfield after an outstanding first half. Liverpool 2-0 Como Pre-Season Friendly (6) | Anfield | August 16, 2026 Goals Gakpo 23′ (assist: Frimpong) Jacquet 44′ (assist: Gakpo) Iraola gives away XI for Premier League? After a mixed squad played out a 0-0 draw at the AXA earlier in the day, Andoni Iraola named what is almost certain to be his starting lineup for the Premier League opener at Newcastle. That included Jacquet, starting alongside Virgil van Dijk for the first time, with loan signing Ronald Araujo taking a place on the bench. Curtis Jones missed out entirely as he instead trained on his own, with Victor Munoz, Trey Nyoni and Mor Talla Ndiaye all pulling double duty at Anfield as they took places on the bench. Jacquet enjoys the perfect introduction In arguably their strongest test of pre-season, Liverpool began well and the composure of Jacquet and Van Dijk showed at the back. A senior attacking line of Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, along with Rio Ngumoha and the advancing Dominik Szoboszlai, all interchanged well in the early stage. The opening goal came from one of Liverpool’s many Dutch connections, with Jeremie Frimpong driving forward and drifting a cross to the back post where Gakpo took a touch and finished with his left foot. Liverpool’s new No. 5 earned his first chant from the Kop just over half an hour into his unofficial debut after a series of strong challenges in the box. And Jacquet capped a perfect first appearance with a goal to make it 2-0 at the break, tapping in following a set-piece which ended with a ball across the box from Gakpo – again with his left. Half-time: Liverpool 2-0 Como New faces and less action in the second half Jacquet’s evening ended in a pre-planned change at the break, with Araujo taking over duties at centre-back. The Uruguayan showed his eagerness early on as he stepped out of defence to challenge high in midfield, in a game which noticeably slowed from the opening 45. Iraola sent on both Nyoni and Munoz midway through the half, replacing Wirtz and the impactful Gakpo having already clocked 70 and 45 minutes on the pitch respectively only hours previous. Interestingly, Munoz played on the right wing as Lewis Koumas shifted to the left, with Iraola keen for his wingers to be comfortable on both sides. Despite the usual downturn in tempo in the second half it was still a productive runout for Liverpool, with 90 minutes for six players and promising signs from a number of others including, not least, Jacquet. TIA Man of the Match: Jeremy Jacquet Liverpool 2-0 Como (Pre-Season) Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet (Araujo 46′), Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Ngumoha (Koumas 62′), Wirtz (Nyoni 73′), Gakpo (Munoz 73′); Isak (Wright 83′) Subs not used: Davies, Ndiaye Next Match: Newcastle (A) – Premier League – Sunday, August 23, 4.30pm (BST)