Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are two Premier League big six sides that staging double-header friendlies against the same opponent this weekend. Two matches with two different teams playing, one in front of the public, one behind closed doors. Tottenham are facing TSG Hoffenheim 1899, while Liverpool will take on Cesc Fabregas’ Como side. Andoni Iraola will most likely play his A team at Anfield in front of the spectators, and his B team at the training centre.
Final Preseason Friendly FYIs
Liverpool vs Como Doubleheader
Public Exhibition at Anfield: Sunday Aug. 16th, 6pm UK kickoff
Behind Closed Doors at AXA Training Centre: Sunday Aug. 16th kickoff 11:30am
Liverpool Preview Material: Team News Predicted XI
There are no shortage of Liverpool storylines right now. The Bradley Barcola transfer saga continues on, long past the point of tedium.
Then you have reports of Jeff Bezos leading a group that is nearing a deal that would bring them about 1/3 ownership stake in the club. And this all comes amidst a preseason that has seen plenty of poor results (especially the collapse against Leeds).
Andoni Iraola famously, or perhaps infamously, said that much of his team isn’t ready to play a full 90 minutes yet.
The full quote from Iraola, four days ago is:
“The problem is right now probably they don’t have the energy for 90 minutes and they start to get tired. It will take time with them, we need more training with them.
Well, he’s running out of time to get there, as Sunday marks the final preseason warm-up.
Next weekend the matches will start counting for real, and there will be no excuses.
Lots of drama going on Liverpool Football Club right now.
Liverpool Predicted Starting XI vs Como
Alisson Becker; Jeremie Frimpong, Iliman Ndiaye, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai; Florian Wirtz; Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, Alexander Isak
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.