Jeremy Jacquet stole the spotlight as Liverpool secured a reassuring 2-0 victory over Como in their final pre‑season friendly at Anfield. The 21‑year‑old French centre‑back, who joined the Reds from Rennes in February, celebrated his debut by netting the second goal just before the interval, extending the lead that Cody Gakpo had already established.
Gakpo’s early strike set the tone, and the Dutch forward quickly found Jacquet with a low cross that the newcomer calmly slotted home. The goal proved to be Jacquet’s only touch of the match, as he was substituted at halftime for fellow newcomer Ronald Araujo.
The change slowed the tempo, a shift that suited the visiting Italians, who began to dominate possession in the second half. Liverpool had suffered a dramatic collapse against Monaco the previous week, surrendering a two‑goal cushion. This time, however, they held firm, even as Ryan Gravenberch rattled the crossbar late on.
Besides Gakpo and Jacquet, the likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha also impressed, showcasing the depth of Andoni Iraola’s squad. Not everyone shone equally.
Alexander Isak, who had found the net against Monaco, missed an early opportunity for Liverpool, striking the post, while German playmaker Florian Wirtz looked uncomfortable and failed to make a significant impact. Their performances underscored the work still required before the Premier League season kicks off at St James’ Park next Sunday.
Key moments of the match included: - 8’ – Isak’s shot ricochets off the far post. - 23’ – Frimpong delivers a brilliant pass to Gakpo, who fires Liverpool ahead.
- 44’ – Gakpo’s cross finds Jacquet, who taps the ball home. - 58’ – Rodriguez’s effort for Como rattles the side‑netting.
- 85’ – Diao’s strike brushes the Liverpool crossbar on a quick counter‑attack. - 89’ – Szoboszlai’s pass reaches Gravenberch, who smashes the ball against the bar. When the line‑up was announced, Anfield’s speakers called out Jacquet’s name, and the stadium gave him a warm reception.
He answered with a composed, confident display that should put his name firmly in the conversation for a starting berth against Newcastle United next week. Jacquet’s impact was immediate. Within the first half‑minute, he linked up with teammates on a series of purposeful passes, demonstrating his eagerness to inject energy into a Liverpool defence that had appeared sluggish under Arne Slot’s previous regime.
Roughly 15 minutes in, the Kop erupted in chants of his name after he executed a strong challenge, holding his opponent off and winning the ball cleanly. The French defender projected calmness coupled with a steeliness that belied his youth. His performance was not without flaws. Just before the 30‑minute mark, he missed a tackle and required Jeremie Frimpong to cover him with a timely intervention.
A few minutes later, a clumsy clearance saw the ball fall to an opponent, but Jacquet quickly redeemed himself with a vital interception inside his own penalty area. These moments highlighted both his learning curve and his capacity to recover swiftly.
The decisive goal arrived before the break. After Gakpo’s precise delivery, Jacquet positioned himself perfectly and tapped the ball home, sealing a 45‑minute spell that left Liverpool 2‑0 up.
He was withdrawn at halftime, making way for Araujo, who arrived on loan and is expected to compete for a long‑term role alongside Jacquet in central defence. Statistical analysis from the match indicated that Ibrahima Konaté displayed bursts of speed, but his overall mobility sometimes lagged. At 35, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk now requires a partner who can match his pace and provide stability. Jacquet appears to be that partner, offering both athleticism and composure.
Iraola’s post‑match comments reflected satisfaction with the result and the defensive solidity: "We needed the confidence of keeping a clean sheet and securing the win. The first half was stronger than the second, but we maintained our organization and composure.
Finishing with a clean sheet was essential for us." He continued, "We are an improvement on last week’s performance. I hope we can be even better next week.
Many players completed the full 90 minutes without cramping, which is a positive sign." Regarding the second half, Iraola admitted, "We still have work to do, especially after the break. Every player must give their all, every minute, every action – that is the commitment we expect.
I’m pleased with the attitude shown in training; I’m asking them to adjust their approach, particularly off the ball, and they are making progress." On Jacquet’s debut, the manager praised, "Jeremy performed exceptionally well, and Ronald also impressed when he came on. Jeremie Frimpong delivered a solid performance, covering the right flank both offensively and defensively.
Overall, we saw good displays at the back." In summary, Jacquet’s introduction to Anfield was a resounding success. He combined defensive discipline with a keen sense of positioning, contributed a crucial goal, and earned the applause of a passionate home crowd. As Liverpool fine‑tune their squad ahead of the Premier League launch, his seamless integration suggests he could become a mainstay in the back line, offering a blend of youthful vigor and tactical awareness that the club has been seeking.