Liverpool vs Como Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Liverpool welcome Como to Anfield on Monday morning New Zealand time in the final pre-season friendly before the 2026-27 Premier League campaign begins. 

It’s the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, with Andoni Iraola’s side looking to sharpen up ahead of their opener at Newcastle on August 23.

In this Liverpool vs Como preview, I’ve gone through form, squad availability, and why this one could be worth a look for those hunting football sports betting angles. I’m eyeing a goals-market angle at north of $2.00.

Liverpool

Two wins, two losses. That’s Iraola’s pre-season in a sentence. 

Liverpool opened with victories over Sunderland (4-2) and Wrexham (1-0), but have since blown two-goal leads against both Leeds and Monaco. Against Monaco last Sunday, Isak and Wirtz had the Reds 2-0 up inside half an hour, only for Golovin to pull one back from the spot before the break. Biereth levelled early in the second half and Brunner headed a late winner.

I’m not reading too much into pre-season results. 

What I am watching is the Isak-Wirtz connection. Both scored against Monaco, and after a frustrating first season at Anfield, they look more comfortable alongside each other under the new system. With Salah gone, they’re now the focal point of this attack.

Iraola will want his strongest XI to have one last run before Newcastle. Jeremy Jacquet could feature for the first time after returning to full training this week.

Team News: Bradley, Ekitike and Leoni are long-term absentees. Gomez is out with a muscle injury. Jones was left out of the Monaco squad and is linked with a move to Inter Milan. Jacquet has returned to full training. Bajcetic and Endo are available after stepping up their fitness.

Predicted Lineup: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Bajcetic; Munoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Como

Cesc Fabregas has taken Como from Serie B to Champions League football in three seasons. Fourth in Serie A last year with a Coppa Italia semi-final run thrown in. European qualification for the first time in their 119-year history.

They’ve had a busy summer. Alvaro Morata has arrived from AC Milan, and Trevoh Chalobah and Yan Couto have also come in, along with midfielder Luis Milla from Getafe. Martin Baturina scored in their draw with Arsenal at the Emirates earlier this week, and Anastasios Douvikas - who bagged 17 goals across all competitions last season - will lead the line again.

I’m interested to see how Nico Paz performs. He represented Argentina at the World Cup this summer and won’t have had a full pre-season, but his ability on the ball is exceptional. Fabregas will likely rotate across the two matches Liverpool and Como are playing on the same day - the 6pm BST kick-off is the one in front of fans, with a closed-door match earlier at noon.

Team News: Paz is managing his workload after World Cup duty with Argentina. Chalobah is a doubt given his delayed start to pre-season. Diao has been linked with a loan to Galatasaray and may not feature.

Predicted Lineup: Butez; Couto, Kempf, Goldaniga, Valle; Milla, Perrone; Kuhn, Baturina, Jesus Rodriguez; Douvikas.

• Liverpool have lost their last two pre-season matches after leading by two goals in each.
• Como finished fourth in Serie A last season, qualifying for their first ever Champions League campaign.
• Liverpool have scored in all four pre-season outings under Iraola, averaging 2.25 goals per game.
• Douvikas scored 17 goals across all competitions for Como in 2025-26.
• Liverpool open the Premier League season at Newcastle on August 23.

I’m tipping Liverpool to win. 

Iraola will want a performance before Newcastle, and I’d expect a stronger side than we’ve seen in some of the US tour fixtures. Isak and Wirtz look like they’re finally clicking, and Anfield should produce a good atmosphere for the final dress rehearsal.

Como won’t roll over, though. Douvikas, Baturina, Kuhn, Paz - that’s serious attacking quality, and Fabregas will want a test before Serie A and the Champions League begin. A Liverpool win with goals at both ends feels right.

If you’re following this through live betting sites in New Zealand, the second half could be particularly interesting given Iraola’s tendency to swap out most of the side at the break.

Liverpool Win and Both Teams to Score @ $3.20

Liverpool need to put in a clean 90 minutes before Newcastle and I think Iraola gets the response he’s looking for after the Monaco collapse. Isak and Wirtz will want goals, and the Anfield crowd will push them forward.

But Como have scored in nearly every pre-season match they’ve played, and Douvikas is the type of striker who punishes any defensive lapse. Liverpool have conceded in all four friendlies so far, and I’d be surprised if they suddenly tightened up against a side with this much quality in attack. 

At $3.20, I’m happy to back a Liverpool win with goals from both sides. For those checking the best betting apps for New Zealand punters, this market is where I’d be looking.