Liverpool star praises new signings after Como victory

Liverpool star praises new signings after Como victory Alisson Becker outlines Liverpool belief after Como win ahead of Newcastle opener Liverpool closed out pre-season with a 2-0 victory over Como at Anfield, and while the result offered encouragement, the messaging from inside the camp was measured. There is optimism around the squad before the Premier League opener at Newcastle United, but it is being balanced with realism about the work still required under Andoni Iraola. First-half goals from Cody Gakpo and debutant Jeremy Jacquet secured the win in the final friendly of the summer. For Alisson Becker, the evening provided a useful blend of confidence, clean-sheet reassurance and a reminder that standards must continue to rise before competitive football begins. Speaking after the match, the Liverpool goalkeeper summed up the mood clearly: “Yeah, really, really excited [and] looking forward [to it]. But, feet on the ground – we dream big but we work hard, that’s the thing we have to do.” That line captures where Liverpool are entering the 2026-27 season. There is ambition, and there is belief, but there is also a recognition that pre-season has not been flawless and that the side remains a work in progress. Liverpool pre-season ends with useful momentum The Como win mattered for more than the scoreline. Liverpool had endured mixed results over the summer, and there was a visible desire to finish preparations with a more complete display. Alisson acknowledged as much, saying: “That [defeating Como] was important for us. We didn’t have great results in pre-season, everybody knows how tough it is to play during pre-season.” He also pointed to the physical demands placed on the squad in recent weeks. “We are training really hard, we’ve been training really hard in the last weeks, in the last month. All the lads did a great job and tonight it was good for us to get a little bit of confidence, we know how important this is, and to get a win with a clean sheet as well.” Photo: IMAGO That clean sheet will have pleased Iraola, who takes charge of his first competitive Liverpool fixture next weekend. Defensive structure, intensity and collective discipline have all been recurring themes through the summer, and this was a more stable showing in each department. Alisson highlights consistency and control Alisson’s assessment was revealing because it focused less on the score and more on the shape of the performance. “Still we did a good game but we have still things to improve. We have consistency for not maybe for the full game, but we’re going to get there.” That honesty reflects a broader internal view. Liverpool were better against Como, particularly in how they managed transitions and restricted clear openings, yet there remains a sense that full cohesion is still developing. Alisson felt the collective display was notably sharper. “It was better, a little bit more consistency on the things we did,” he added. He also acknowledged the quality of the opposition in possession: “Of course we played against a really strong team on the ball. Not many teams are going to keep the ball against us if we play with the right attitude, with the right plan, on the way we are preparing, with the intensity we are preparing for.” Even so, Como tested Liverpool in spells. “But they played really well, it was a tough game for us. We managed to not give them away too many easy chances.” For a goalkeeper, that is often the clearest sign of a side improving. As Alisson put it: “The chances they had, we always had a player on the challenge [and] that’s important, it makes my job easier. And also up front we were clinical on the finishes and getting the win, that’s an important thing for us.” Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo impress in defence One of the more notable aspects of the evening was the contribution of Liverpool’s defensive recruits. Jacquet marked his debut with a goal and a composed first-half display, while Ronald Araujo featured after the break and also earned praise from his goalkeeper. Alisson said: “Both of them played really, really well. Jeremy had a great first half, great on the ball, great defending as well, controlling the space in behind [and] in front of him as well. Great, great performance.” Photo: liverpoolfc.com On Araujo, he was equally positive: “Ronald as well had a really good game in the second half… it’s really good to have a strong centre-back to help the team, in depth as well. That’s what we need if we want to compete for the trophies this season – that’s what we want, that’s the mentality of Liverpool players.” There was praise too for the wider unit, with Alisson adding: “Jeremie [Frimpong] did well, the back four did really well, Milos [Kerkez], the players in the midfield. We run a lot, we fight a lot to get the result, and that’s the spirit we have to keep on going for the next games.” Newcastle United now comes into focus The next step is a significant one. Liverpool open their Premier League campaign away at Newcastle, a demanding start and the first proper reference point of the Iraola era. Pre-season can inform, but competitive football clarifies quickly. For now, Liverpool head into that fixture with a win, a clean sheet and a dressing room speaking in disciplined, ambitious terms. “The best thing is winning with the space to improvement and we need to go with that mentality for the first game against Newcastle.” It is a simple message, and one that says plenty about where Liverpool believe they are, and where they intend to go.