Liverpool’s pre-season plans will be badly disrupted by the World Cup this summer as they lose most of their first-team to the tournament.
While the four-yearly occasion is something to enjoy for every football fan, it does make things difficult for club managers trying to plan their new campaign.
Players tend to return in a staggered way, meaning there can be little time to try out tactical ideas or bed in new signings.
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Alisson before Marseille vs Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
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That may be part of the reason Liverpool decided to bring their summer planning forward and sign Jeremy Jacquet ahead of time in the summer window. They now know at least one player who will be moving to Anfield.
Jacquet is uncapped by the France senior team, but as he continues to impress in Ligue 1 with Rennes, French journalist Julien Laurens has outlined whether that is likely to change with the World Cup on the horizon.
Jeremy Jacquet unlikely to make French World Cup squad
The nature of being a club the size of Liverpool is that you are likely to have most of your key players away when international duty comes around.
While that is a problem in itself during the season, the issue is a different one in the summer. For clubs trying to get players to acclimatise, it can be especially frustrating.
Jermy Jacquet during Olympique de Marseille v Stade Rennais - French Cup 2025/2026
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With a young player like Jacquet, it can be especially important to get them into the club as soon as possible and allow them to develop from there. Thankfully, it sounds as though they will be able to do that with their new centre-back this pre-season.
“He’s on the verge of the French national A team with Deschamps, maybe not for the World Cup, there’s too much competition,” Laurens told BBC’s Euro Leagues podcast.
“But after that, slowly, surely Zidane will have a look. And from a Liverpool point of view, if you don’t get him now, I think he would have gone to a massive club next anyway.”
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Jeremy Jacquet celebrates after scoring for France during their U19 European Championship match against Turkiye. Jeremy Jacquet during Olympique de Marseille v Stade Rennais - French Cup 2025/2026
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Jacquet omission is good news
It is undoubtedly good news for Liverpool that Jacquet is unlikely to be going to the USA, Canada and Mexico for the World Cup.
While it would be a brilliant experience for him, he would surely not be playing much of a part at all if he does travel with Didier Deschamps’ final tournament squad.
As a result, his time is better spent on Merseyside or on tour with the Liverpool squad as he gets to know those of his new teammates who have stayed behind.
Jacquet looks set to be a key player for Liverpool in the coming years, and it is true that he will not be defined by his start at the club. But the Reds still need to give him the best possible chance of success, and this looks like being a good way to start.
All being well, the 20-year-old should link up with the available Liverpool squad on the first day of pre-season.
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