**Liverpool rounded off their pre-season preparations with a win over Como.**
Andoni Iraola’s side had already played out at goalless draw against their Serie A counterparts at the AXA Training Centre earlier on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds took the lead in the 24th minute courtesy of Cody Gakpo’s well-taken finish after bringing down Jeremie Frimpong’s cross to the far post.
Jeremy Jacquet doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time with a tap-in from Gakpo’s cutback to mark his first appearance for the club in style.
Liverpool kick off their new Premier League campaign away to Newcastle on Sunday, August 23 before entertaining Nottingham Forest six days later.
_Here were the key talking points from Anfield:_
Reds ready for Iraola intensity
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Andoni Iraola set alarm bells ringing after insisting Liverpool’s players could only withstand his high-intensity approach for no more than 30 minutes.
The new head coach’s remarks were a cause for concern as much as a damning indictment of the conditioning work overseen by his predecessor.
What a difference a week makes.
His side not only displayed a much-sought dose of stamina ahead of their Premier League opener at Newcastle but found themselves evenly matched.
Como were in no mood for a mild excursion on a maiden visit to Anfield which could soon be followed by another in the Champions League’s league phase.
Unlike [the lethargic second-half capitulation against Monaco](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/67106-liverpool-2-3-monaco-three-talking-points-alexander-isak-ronald-araujo-curtis-jones/) seven days prior, the Reds continued to move through the gears while holding a two-goal lead.
Iraola’s system is also bringing the best out of previously maligned figures like Jeremie Frimpong, who was a constant threat and teed up the hosts’ opener.
Small steps, still, but Liverpool at least appear to be getting up to speed with their season’s big kick-off at St James’ Park now just a matter of days away.
Jacquet debut worth the wait
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Jeremy Jacquet has needed to bide his time since agreeing to join Liverpool.
Initial plans for the defender to hit the ground running were hampered early on as his final half-season with Rennes was curtailed by a shoulder injury.
Despite reporting to the AXA Training Centre fully fit, Jacquet also failed to feature for his new club in their pre-season campaign until the very last game.
But the 21-year-old’s belated involvement against Como was well worth the wait as he had supporters serenading him within barely a quarter of an hour.
He smartly thwarted Kaiki Bruno deep in penalty area before following it up later in the half by intercepting Luis Milla’s far-post cross to Lucas Da Cunha.
A tidy finish to double Liverpool’s lead just before half time from Cody Gakpo’s cutback had fans believing they already have a real talent on their hands.
The only disappointment was Jacquet’s pre-planned withdrawal at the interval for fellow summer arrival Ronald Araujo limited any further moments of magic.
Gakpo’s a man on a mission
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Pre-season performances are often not a bellwether for the main cut and thrust but Gakpo could be about to prove an exception to that rule.
The Netherlands international was marginalised during the dog days of Arne Slot’s reign due to his Liverpool displays flying in the face of continued starts.
With his compatriot departed, it would be easy for Gakpo to retreat within himself especially as speculation of a move to Tottenham is being mooted.
Yet the 27-year-old was a real live wire for Iraola’s side during back-to-back home friendlies and fully rewarded with his opener against Como.
It’s easy to forget that [Gakpo’s arrival from PSV Eindhoven three years ago](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/48485-cody-gakpo-reveals-virgil-van-dijk-role-in-liverpool-move/) coincided with a fresh elevation of Liverpool’s already well-stocked attack.
The picture is markedly different now, with the search for Mohamed Salah’s successor at the fulcrum currently proving fruitless ahead of the new season.
He may not be a long-term solution but Gakpo has shown himself capable of again supplementing the forward line at Anfield in Iraola’s fledgling reign.