Jeremy Jacquet stole the spotlight as Liverpool secured a reassuring 2-0 victory over Como in the final pre‑season friendly at Anfield. The 21‑year‑old French defender, who joined the club from Rennes in February, celebrated his first appearance by netting the second goal just before the interval, extending the lead that Cody Gakpo had already established.
Gakpo delivered a precise pass that set up Jacquet for an easy tap‑in, a moment that turned out to be the French youngster's final contribution before he was substituted at half‑time for fellow newcomer Ronald Araujo. The change in personnel slowed the tempo, a shift that benefited Como, who enjoyed more possession and created a few chances in the second half.
Liverpool had squandered a two‑goal advantage against Monaco in their previous friendly, but this time they avoided a repeat of that lapse. Even Ryan Gravenberch managed to strike the crossbar late on, underscoring the defensive solidity the hosts displayed. In addition to Gakpo and Jacquet, Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha also impressed, showing the depth of talent available to Andoni Iraola's side. Not every player was flawless, however.
Alexander Isak, who had found the net against Monaco, missed a clear opportunity early on when his shot hit the post, while German playmaker Florian Wirtz was unable to make a significant impact. Their performances will be scrutinised ahead of Liverpool's next challenge at St James' Park. Key moments of the match included: - 8' – Post! Isak's effort ricochets off the far post.
- 23' – Goal! Frimpong delivers a brilliant pass to Gakpo, who fires Liverpool ahead.
- 44' – Goal! Gakpo squares the ball across for Jacquet, who taps it into the net. - 58' – Close!
Rodriguez shoots wide of the side‑netting for Como. - 85' – Close!
Diao skims the Liverpool crossbar on a counter‑attack. - 89' – Bar! Szoboszlai finds Gravenberch, whose effort rattles the bar. When the teams were announced, Anfield gave Jacquet a warm reception, and he responded with a performance that will be hard to forget.
His early contributions, including a series of purposeful passes within the first half‑minute, signalled his intent to inject energy into a backline that had appeared sluggish under Arne Slot last season. The Kop erupted with chants of his name after just fifteen minutes, following a strong challenge in which Jacquet held his ground and won a crucial duel. He displayed composure and a hint of steel, qualities that impressed both fans and coaching staff. Jacquet's debut was not without blemishes.
He missed a tackle shortly before the 30‑minute mark, prompting Frimpong to cover for him with a timely intervention. A mis‑kicked clearance soon after was quickly redeemed by a vital interception inside the penalty area, demonstrating his ability to recover from errors. The goal, a simple tap‑in from Gakpo's cross, capped a solid first half before Jacquet was taken off at the break. While Araujo has arrived on loan, Jacquet is being positioned as the long‑term solution for Liverpool's defensive line, and his performance gave a strong indication that the club may have found a new partner for captain Virgil van Dijk, who, at 35, now requires pace and agility alongside him.
Statistical analysis from the match highlighted Ibrahima Konaté's quickness, yet it also showed occasional lapses in acceleration. In contrast, Jacquet's blend of speed, composure, and physical presence suggests he could complement Van Dijk effectively, offering the balance the defense has been missing.
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool's head coach, praised the team's display: "We needed the feeling of keeping a clean sheet and winning the game. The first half was certainly better than the second, but we maintained our organisation and composure throughout.
Finishing with a clean sheet is exactly the confidence boost we wanted before the season starts." He continued, "We are already an improvement on last week. I hope we can be even better next week. Many players completed the full 90 minutes without cramps, which is a good sign.
The second half showed some areas where we need to raise our level, especially in terms of intensity and focus." Iraola also highlighted the importance of collective effort: "Every player, every minute, every action matters. I'm delighted with the attitude shown in training and on the pitch. We are working on small adjustments, particularly our off‑the‑ball movements, and I think the squad is embracing those challenges." Regarding Jacquet, Iraola remarked, "Jeremy performed exceptionally well, and Ronald also did a great job after coming on.
Jeremie Frimpong delivered a solid 90 minutes at right‑back, contributing both offensively and defensively. Overall, we saw several strong performances at the back, which bodes well for the upcoming season." The friendly also served as a platform for other new signings to integrate. While some, like Isak and Wirtz, fell short of expectations, the overall impression was positive, with the squad showing a blend of youthful vigor and experienced calm.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will travel to Newcastle United's St James' Park for their next pre‑season encounter. That match will provide a further test for Jacquet and the defensive unit, as well as an opportunity for the attacking players to refine their link‑up play before the Premier League campaign kicks off.
Fans can continue to follow Liverpool news, live streams, and transfer updates through official channels, including NOW, Sky Sports on WhatsApp, and the club's digital platforms. The excitement generated by Jacquet's debut underscores the optimism surrounding Liverpool's preparations and the potential for a competitive season ahead.