Jeremy Jacquet has handed Liverpool a fresh injury scare after missing France's final game of the international break, but the Reds do already have a new option ahead of January
Jeremy Jacquet missed France's final game of the international break due to injury
Jeremy Jacquet missed France's final game of the international break due to injury(Image: Getty Images)
The extended international break has not been all that kind to Liverpool, and there was one final scare in store this week ahead of Andoni Iraola getting back down to work with his players.
The Reds boss is already sweating on the fitness of Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, with the attacking pair having returned from Sweden and Netherlands duty, and it looks as though the latter could face a few weeks out after injuring his ankle against Serbia.
And with just a handful of his stars left to play on Monday, Iraola was handed a blow at the opposite end of the pitch as Jeremy Jacquet was left out of France’s game against Belgium.
Having continued his superb start to the season with impressive performances in his first two international appearances, Jacquet had been expected to keep his place in Zinedine Zidane’s side for the two-time world champions’ final Nations League encounter of the month.
There was no sign of the 21-year-old in the French squad though, with reports indicating he had been left out after feeling a hamstring strain in the build-up to the game.
Jacquet was seen applauding the crowd alongside his teammates after the 4-1 win in Paris, and he appeared to be in good spirits, which raises hopes that his absence may have been a precaution rather than anything more serious.
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Liverpool, though, will have to examine the defender upon his return to the AXA Training Center this week, with not much time to make a call on his fitness ahead of Sunday’s game against Manchester City.
Iraola will be keeping his fingers crossed that the issue is nothing to be too concerned about, but having been out since February before making his first appearance for Liverpool in August, Jacquet’s game time will need to be monitored closely.
With that in mind, it might not be out of the question that the Reds would look to add to their options at the back to provide more cover and lessen the burden on the former Rennes star.
Fortunately, Liverpool already has an option in place to bring a new defender into the squad during the January transfer window.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe of Levante UD looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on September 13, 2026 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Liverpool can recall Ifeanyi Ndukwe in January(Image: Getty Images)
Ifeanyi Ndukwe will be available to recall from his loan at Levante in the New Year, with the option having been included in the deal that saw the 18-year-old make the temporary move to Spain in August.
The teenager impressed during pre-season, but was unable to play for the Reds once the Premier League season got underway due to work permit issues. Ndukwe has now reached the threshold necessary to obtain a permit though, meaning he can return to Anfield in January if the club sees fit.
Ndukwe has made two appearances for Levante so far, having come off the bench in defeats to Barcelona and Villarreal. The ideal situation for Liverpool will be for him to continue building his game time in Spain and for Jacquet to avoid any time out through injury, but it is a situation Iraola and the club will have to keep a close eye on.