Andoni Iraola has explained his Liverpool team selection after Jeremy Jacquet was handed his first Premier League start against Newcastle United
Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool looks on during the pre-season friendly match against Como
Andoni Iraola has explained the decision to start Jeremy Jacquet over Ronald Araujo in Liverpool's opening Premier League game
(Image: Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has explained his team selection in the team's opening Premier League fixture of the season against Newcastle United.
One of the biggest question marks was who would start alongside Virgil van Dijk at center back, given the Reds have struggled for numbers in the position throughout preseason. This was down to the captain's late return after the World Cup, as well as a number of injuries in the position.
Joe Gomez picked up a problem in Liverpool's opening friendly on the U.S. tour against Sunderland, while new signing Jeremy Jacquet missed almost the entirety of preseason due to injury. Iraola was forced to turn to the club's academy to get the team through.
That changed, of course, in the final friendly against Como a little over a week ago. Jacquet was back and ready, while the club also signed Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona to help bulk out the squad in terms of numbers.
Jacquet played the first 45 minutes against the Italian side and arguably had the dream debut as he looked solid and also scored his first goal for the club before halftime. Araujo then played the second half in order to get some minutes in his legs as the Reds held on to a clean sheet.
Against Newcastle, Jacquet got the nod from the head coach and Iraola explained the selection in his pre-match interview. "It was a difficult call," he told Sky Sports. "Both of them played well in the last friendly.
"Jeremy is comfortable with and without the ball. Playing against Osula and Wissa, who are good players, will not be easy. We have Ronald ready to go if we need him."
Ronald Araujo of Liverpool during a preseason friendly
Ronald Araujo made his Liverpool debut in a preseason friendly vs Como(Image: Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Jacquet was also the subject of plenty of praise from pundits in the pre-match coverage. Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards explained how playing alongside Van Dijk can only help the 21-year-old going forward.
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"I watched him in pre-season and he was outstanding," Richards said. "The way he was reading the game and stepping out with the ball, he was so composed. Playing alongside Virgil van Dijk, he can only improve and I think this guy can go to the very top."
Unfortunately for Liverpool, though, it was a nightmare start at St. James' Park as the Reds fell behind early. With one swift counterattack, Iraola's men were carved in two as Anthony Elanga found the back of the net.
For all of the positivity in preseason, it shows Liverpool is still lacking in key positions to get the very best out of this team. Jacquet and Araujo, in particular, will both need to be dependable if the Reds are to have any hope of succeeding this term.