Liverpool have Maghnes Akliouche in their sights and there is a hidden positive when it comes to the Frenchman
Maghnes Akliouche with France at World Cup 2026
Maghnes Akliouche could hand Liverpool an added bonus(Image: Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
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As Liverpool continue their pursuit of a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, the name of Maghnes Akliouche has become the latest to take centre stage. The Monaco man could end up at Anfield after false starts over other targets such as Yan Diomande.
Akliouche, who played just once at the World Cup with France, would arrive as an unknown quantity at Premier League level. However, there's a chance he and Jeremy Jacquet could help one another settle in at Anfield.
A move for centre-back Jacquet was wrapped up long before Andoni Iraola took over as manager but he only joined this summer. In all the excitement over a potential move for Akliouche, some might not have realised he has played with the new defender before.
A glance at Les Bleuets' line-up from a 2025 win in Slovakia shows just how much depth France have for years to come. Jacquet's fellow centre-backs Castello Lukeba and Killian Sildillia already have Champions League experience while goalkeeper Robin Risser helped Lens qualify for next season's edition of the competition.
In front of them, the midfield was headlined by Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Lille star would go on to switch his international allegiances to Morocco and starred for the African side at World Cup 2026.
However, it's the attack which really catches the eye. Mathys Tel and Arnaud Kalimuendo started up front, each scoring twice. Akliouche was only on the bench when the game began but was in fine company. His potential new team-mate Hugo Ekitike was also among the substitutes, as was Everton striker Thierno Barry.
Maghnes Akliouche and Jeremy Jacquet
Akliouche and Jacquet have been club opponents and international colleagues(Image: ou BENOIST / AFP via Getty Images)
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Just six months later, the Monaco man was making his senior France debut, replacing Michael Olise in a victory over Ukraine. Akliouche did enough last season to convince Didier Deschamps to bring him into France's World Cup squad, where his only outing came as a late sub in place of Bradley Barcola against Iraq.
Jacquet is still waiting for a senior France debut, with his injury in the second half of last season delaying any call-up further. However, as we head into unchartered waters for the defender, a familiar face in the same squad - and Ekitike will help too once he returns from injury - will surely be a benefit.
There could yet be further signings, though manager Iraola has not put a number on things. "No, I think it’s difficult to say a number when the market is open, and you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad," he said.
"There are obvious situations that we know where we need to sign players. A winger, for example – we definitely need to sign a winger. But there are other situations that we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what’s the cost, how we also see the players we have.
"We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust but is still not the ideal situation. So, it will depend on a lot of things."
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