Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo both featured for Liverpool as Andoni Iraola's side capped off pre-season with a 2-0 win over Como at Anfield
Jeremy Jacquet celebrates after scoring against Como
Jeremy Jacquet celebrates after scoring against Como(Image: (Peter Byrne/PA Wire))
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Jeremy Jacquet enjoyed an Anfield debut to remember as Liverpool rounded off their pre-season programme with a confidence-boosting 2-0 win over Como. Jacquet was making his debut for the club after signing from Stade Rennais in February and marked the occasion by scoring his side’s second goal.
A composed display was capped off when the 21-year-old turned home Cody Gakpo’s low cross from close-range. And speaking after the game, former Reds forward Neil Mellor believes what made Jacquet's 'accomplished' performance notable was that he hadn't played since suffering a serious shoulder injury that curtailed his campaign last season shortly after agreeing his move to Anfield.
"When you are looking at standout moments and positives from this game, certainly Jeremy Jacquet was one of those," Mellor told LFCTV.
"The fact that we were waiting when he would make his first appearance for Liverpool? When will it be?
"Would it be in America? Which we thought it would be and it wasn't and the game against Monaco wasn’t and we have had to wait until today.
"But what an accomplished performance it was from him. He just looked at home at the centre of that defence here at Anfield alongside Virgil van Dijk.
"Six months, six months without a game, without football and no matter who you are, that is not easy but he looked so accomplished.
"He also got himself a goal as well. How many goals he will get this season I am not sure, but he will be a threat from set-pieces, but stopping goals will be his thing."
Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk before Liverpool vs Como.
Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk before Liverpool vs Como.(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
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France Under-21 international Jacquet was replaced by another debutant, Ronald Araujo, at half-time.
Araujo has accepted a wage cut to facilitate his loan move from Barcelona to Liverpool, and the Reds have the chance to sign the defender on a permanent basis next summer.
Although predominantly a centre-back, Mellor believes the Uruguay international could find himself playing at right-back throughout the campaign.
"He looked comfortable and another new player who has come into the team," he said. "As good as he has been over there with Barcelona he has got to settle in now.
"Again, he was alongside Virgil van Dijk and he may at times be asked to play at right full-back, but what he needed to do he looked assured.
"He looked comfortable and he looked aggressive. I think the fans will like that as well, he dealt with situations nicely."
Andoni Iraola leads Liverpool in his debut campaign at Anfield
Andoni Iraola leads Liverpool in his debut campaign at Anfield