Liverpool beat Como 2-0 in the team's final preseason friendly at Anfield on Sunday, with new signings Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo both catching the eye on Merseyside
Alisson Becker is excited to play alongside Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo
Alisson Becker is excited to play alongside Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has heaped praise on new center-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, as he set out the club's ambitions to challenge for honors this season under new manager Andoni Iraola.
The Reds rounded off their preseason campaign with an impressive 2-0 triumph over Italian outfit Como at Anfield on Sunday. Jacquet turned heads with a commanding first-half display on his debut appearance following his summer move from Rennes, netting the second goal after Cody Gakpo had broken the deadlock.
Araujo, who joined on loan from Barcelona, was introduced at the interval in place of the Frenchman and helped the Reds secure only their second clean sheet of the preseason program.
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Alisson said: "Both of them played really, really well. Jeremy had a great first half, great on the ball, great defending and controlling the space in behind and in front of him as well. A great performance.
"Ronald, as well, had a really good game in the second half. It is really good to have a strong center-back to help the team in depth as well. That's what we need if we want to compete for trophies this season.
"That's what we want, that's the mentality of Liverpool players.
"Playing alongside Virgil (van Dijk) I think is a great thing for them as well.
"I'm really happy for them. We are going to need all the players. All the boys did well, the back four did really well, the players in midfield run a lot and fight a lot to get the results and that's the spirit we have to keep on going for the next games."
Jacquet scored on his Liverpool debut
Jacquet scored on his Liverpool debut(Image: Getty Images)
Both Jacquet and Araujo will now vie for a starting position alongside captain Van Dijk when the Premier League campaign kicks off at Newcastle next Sunday.
Despite last season's underwhelming performance and the behind-the-scenes transformation following Iraola's appointment with his new coaching team, Alisson remains convinced Liverpool can mount a serious challenge for silverware this term.
"I am really excited and looking forward, but (with) feet on the ground," he said.
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"We dream big, but we work hard. That's the thing we have to do.
"We still have things to improve and don't have consistency for the full game, but we are going to get there.
"The best thing is winning with the space for improvement, and we need to go with that mentality for the first game against Newcastle."