Liverpool to Play Como in Pre-Season Friendly
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Liverpool are set to face Italian club Como in a pre-season friendly on 16 August 2026, as both teams continue their preparations ahead of the new football season.
The match, which has generated interest among football fans, will reportedly be shown live and free of charge for viewers in Portugal.
Pre-season friendlies such as this one are common in the football calendar, allowing clubs to test their squads, assess new signings and build match fitness before official competitions begin.
Unlike league or cup fixtures, these matches carry no competitive points and are used primarily for preparation and, increasingly, commercial purposes.
Liverpool, one of England's most successful and widely followed clubs, regularly takes part in pre-season tours and exhibition matches to engage fans and generate revenue outside the domestic season.
Como, a club based in northern Italy, has been growing its profile in recent years and stands to benefit from facing a globally recognised opponent.
Details such as the exact kick-off time and full broadcast arrangements have not been fully specified in initial reports, though coverage for audiences in Portugal has been confirmed.
The match forms part of a broader trend in modern football, where clubs increasingly schedule high-profile friendlies to maximise exposure among international audiences.
Such fixtures also allow managers to experiment with tactics and player combinations without the pressure of competitive consequences.
For supporters, pre-season friendlies like Liverpool versus Como often provide an early opportunity to see squad changes, including summer transfers, before the campaign officially begins.
While the result of the friendly itself carries little long-term significance, the fixture is likely to attract attention due to Liverpool's global fanbase and the growing curiosity surrounding Como's development as a club.
As with many pre-season matches, further logistical details are expected to be confirmed closer to the fixture date.
Vocabulary7 words
- pre-season friendly
- a practice match played before the real season starts
- cup
- a competition where teams try to win a trophy
- pre-season tours
- trips clubs take to play friendly matches before the season
- kick-off
- the exact time a match begins
- exposure
- attention or visibility a club gets from media
- revenue
- money a club earns
- fixture
- a scheduled sports match
Quiz
Answer key
1. To help clubs prepare before the season starts 2. Live, free coverage of the match 3. False
Discussion questions
- Why do football clubs play friendly matches before the official season starts?
- Do you think pre-season friendlies are important for fans, or just for the clubs' business interests? Why?
- How might a match against a well-known club like Liverpool help a smaller club such as Como?
- Would you watch a pre-season friendly live, or do you prefer to wait for competitive matches? Explain your answer.