Jeremy Jacquet scores on debut as Liverpool beat Como 2-0

It is rare for the Anfield crowd to break into chants for a centre-back barely 15 minutes into his first appearance. Yet, such was the teeth-gnashing anxiety over Liverpool's defensive shortages throughout pre-season that the sight of a senior player impressing alongside captain Virgil van Dijk was enough to enthuse the Kop, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The relief arrived in the form of Jeremy Jacquet, who scored on his debut during a 2-0 victory over Como on Sunday. The 21-year-old Frenchman, signed from Rennes for £60million, provided a timely solution for head coach Andoni Iraola, whose defensive department has looked stretched leading into the new campaign, as reported by Yahoo Sports.

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Jacquet’s arrival in the starting XI follows a frustrating wait. Although the deal was agreed in January and confirmed on 1 July, a shoulder injury last season and a more recent niggling knee injury delayed his debut until the visit of Cesc Fabregas' Como, according to Bbc Sport.

A Systemic Defensive Void

The urgency for Jacquet's fitness is rooted in a systemic void at the heart of the Reds' defence. Ibrahima Konate departed the club following the expiration of his contract to join Real Madrid, while Joe Gomez is facing a disrupted start to the season after a muscle issue during a match against Sunderland. Furthermore, Giovanni Leoni remains sidelined after suffering an ACL injury on his Carabao Cup debut a year ago, according to Yahoo Sports.

This shortage forced Iraola to rely on academy players like Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Talla Ndiaye, and Luke Chambers. It also necessitated the strategic loan signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona, who made his Anfield bow as a half-time substitute for Jacquet on Sunday, according to the Mirror.

Jacquet's 45-minute stint was characterized by a blend of composure and aggression. Sky Sports noted that the defender added drive to a backline that had been sluggish on the ball under previous manager Arne Slot. His performance included a goal-saving tackle and a strong challenge in front of the Kop, though it was not flawless; he missed one challenge and produced a clumsy miskicked clearance, according to the same outlet.

The scoring opened in the 23rd minute when Jeremie Frimpong drove inside from right-back and lofted a ball to Cody Gakpo, who slotted home. Gakpo, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham, remained professional, eventually providing the low cross for Jacquet's tap-in in the 44th minute, as reported by the Mirror.

Tensions and Inconsistencies

While the first half showed dominance, the second half was described as lacklustre by BBC Sport. Como controlled more of the play, with Ryan Gravenberch hitting the crossbar in the 89th minute during a period where the Italian side created several opportunities. The Liverpool Echo observed that midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Gravenberch often seemed unwilling to stay back and cover the rearguard, raising questions about the need for a dedicated defensive midfielder.

Other high-profile names struggled to find their rhythm:

• Florian Wirtz: The £116million signing from Bayer Leverkusen flattered to deceive according to Sky Sports, with the Mirror reporting that something still hasn't clicked for the German playmaker.
• Alexander Isak: The former Newcastle striker hit the post early on but faded as the game progressed, according to Sky Sports.

Despite these inconsistencies, Iraola expressed satisfaction with the result, stating the team needed this feeling of finishing with a clean sheet after conceding seven goals in previous defeats to Leeds United and Monaco, according to BBC Sport.

The immediate consequence of Jacquet's performance is a potential shift in the starting lineup. BBC Sport suggested it would be surprising if the Frenchman does not line up next to Virgil van Dijk for the Premier League opener.

Squad Dynamics and Absentees

Player	Status/Issue	Source
Curtis Jones	Hip problem; Inter Milan preparing new bid	Mirror
Conor Bradley	Long-term knee injury	Yahoo Sports
Hugo Ekitike	Long-term Achilles injury	Yahoo Sports
Jayden Danns	Unavailable for selection	Yahoo Sports

The match against Como was the second encounter of the day; the two teams had previously played a behind-closed-doors game at the AXA Training Centre that ended 0-0, as reported by the Mirror and Liverpool Echo. Despite the win, the Liverpool Echo noted a lack of awareness in midfield, observing that Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch often failed to cover the rearguard together.

Liverpool ended their 2026 pre-season campaign with a record of three wins, two defeats, and one draw from six friendlies, according to the Mirror. While Iraola remains satisfied with the players' attitude, he admitted the team needs to be better, specifically regarding organization in the second half. Off the pitch, the club continues to pursue Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, a target valued at £145m, with the transfer window closing in just over two weeks, the Mirror reports.

Liverpool now move from pre-season to competitive action with a trip to St James' Park next Sunday to face Newcastle at 16:30 BST, according to BBC Sport.