Jeremy Jacquet was superb for Liverpool on his first appearance for the Reds, shining for Andoni Iraola on a largely positive day that brought an end to pre-season
Jeremy Jacquet was very impressive for Liverpool against Como.
Jeremy Jacquet was very impressive for Liverpool against Como.(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Getty Images)
Such was Liverpool’s desire for Jeremy Jacquet to be protected after recovering from injury, as the Reds’ pre-season schedule concluded with the visit of Como, the young Frenchman’s only just begun.
Andoni Iraola felt that he was finally ready for some minutes, having had to wait patiently all summer, and Jacquet certainly looked like a man desperate to make up for lost time.
The 21-year-old, who was signed for a fee that could reach $83 million ahead of the summer window, showed his class immediately at Anfield, and it was all the more impressive given that he hadn’t played a game since the start of February, when he got injured in what proved to be his final appearance for Rennes.
Of course, such a showing against Como comes with the major caveat of it only being 45 minutes in a pre-season friendly, but you can only judge him on the performance that he put in — and it was spotless.
On the rare occasions that Jacquet didn’t anticipate passes well enough to cut them out at source, he was able to use his speed and strength to outmuscle his opponent anyway.
Ibrahima Konate, the man that Jacquet effectively replaces after he joined Real Madrid, was front-footed and aggressive at his best.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Virgil van Dijk during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio at Anfield on August 16, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Jeremy Jacquet is congratulated by Virgil van Dijk after scoring Liverpool's second goal against Como and he will now battle Ronald Araujo for a place in the starting line-up for the Premier League opener at Newcastle United(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
The new man showed all of that in spades, putting in a strong performance in every regard. He even managed to score, adding the icing on top of the cake.
"Jeremy played very well and also Ronald Araujo — and by the way, a very good performance from Jeremie Frimpong," Iraola said. "Some very good performances at the back."
In the case of Jacquet, especially, however, that really underplays his influence. While it is important not to get too carried away, he was operating at an incredibly high level straight away.
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Araujo, too, when he replaced Jacquet, looked promising. It was harder for him to impress as the intensity in the game dropped, but he was solid and composed.
Jacquet was so good, though, that when the teamsheet drops at St James’ Park next weekend, it is the less experienced center-back who looks the most ready to be thrown in.
Fitness-permitting, he will have eased the transfer fears of plenty of fans immediately. Suddenly, a defense incredibly light of options looks to have been bolstered by two strong ones.
In the long run, with Giovanni Leoni another highly rated young center-back too, they are the future for Liverpool. And as first glimpses of new signings go, Jacquet couldn't have done anything more.