Jeremy Jacquet stole the spotlight as Liverpool wrapped up a confidence‑boosting 2-0 triumph over Como in the final pre‑season friendly at Anfield. The 21‑year‑old French defender, who joined the club from Rennes in February, made his debut with a bang, netting the second goal just before the break to double the lead after Cody Gakpo had opened the scoring. Gakpo’s early strike set the tone, and his precise pass to Jacquet created a simple tap‑in that proved to be the French youngster’s only touch before he was substituted for fellow newcomer Ronald Araujo at the interval.
The change in personnel slowed the tempo, a shift that suited the visiting side, allowing Como to dominate possession in the second half. Liverpool had previously squandered a two‑goal advantage against Monaco, but this time the hosts avoided a repeat of that collapse.
Even Ryan Gravenberch managed to hit the crossbar late on, underscoring Liverpool’s defensive solidity. Alongside Gakpo and Jacquet, Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha also impressed, showcasing the depth of Andoni Iraola’s squad. Some players, however, still have work to do.
Alexander Isak, who had scored against Monaco, missed an early opportunity by striking the post, while Florian Wirtz, the German playmaker, failed to make a significant impact. Their performances hint at the adjustments needed before the competitive season begins, especially with the next test set for Sunday at St James’ Park.
Key moments of the match included: - 8' – POST! Isak’s bouncing effort rattles the far post.
- 23' – GOAL! Frimpong threads a perfect pass to Gakpo, who fires Liverpool ahead. - 44' – GOAL!
Gakpo squares the ball across for Jacquet, who calmly taps it home. - 58' – CLOSE! Rodriguez shoots into the side‑netting for Como.
- 85' – CLOSE! Diao’s effort clips the Liverpool crossbar on a swift counter‑attack. - 89' – BAR! Szoboszlai finds Gravenberch, who smashes the ball against the bar.
Jacquet’s name was announced with fanfare when the teams were listed, and Anfield gave him a warm reception. He answered the applause with a composed, confident display that bolstered his case for a starting berth against Newcastle next week. Within the first half‑minute, purposeful passes highlighted his eagerness to inject energy into a backline that, under Arne Slot last season, had sometimes appeared sluggish on the ball.
The Kop erupted with his name roughly fifteen minutes in, after Jacquet executed a strong challenge in front of the stands and held off his opponent in a subsequent duel for possession. His demeanor combined calm composure with a clear under‑current of steel. The performance was not without blemishes. Just before the 30‑minute mark, Jacquet missed a tackle and required a covering intervention from Frimpong.
A momentary mis‑kick followed, but he quickly redeemed himself with a vital interception inside the penalty area. The goal, a tidy finish from Gakpo’s cross, capped an impressive first half before he was taken off at the break.
Araujo, who arrived on loan, replaced Jacquet for the second half, but the Frenchman is viewed as Liverpool’s long‑term solution at centre‑back. The statistics from the match show Ibrahima Konaté’s speed, yet his legs sometimes need a moment to get moving. At 35, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk now requires a quicker partner to complement his defensive leadership, and Jacquet appears to fit that role perfectly.
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s head coach, praised the team’s display: "We needed the feeling of keeping a clean sheet and taking the win. The first half was certainly stronger than the second, but we maintained our organisation and composure. Finishing with a clean sheet was exactly what we wanted before we started." He added, "We are better than we were last week. I hope next week we improve even more.
You could argue the first half was still better than the second, but many players completed the full 90 minutes without cramping. It's an improvement, yet especially in the second half we need to be better." Iraola continued, "Every player must give their best every minute, every action – that’s the commitment I expect.
I’m very pleased with the players' attitude. They train hard, and I’m asking them to execute slightly different tasks, particularly when we are out of possession, and I think they are starting to understand. We are not perfect; there are areas to improve, but I’m delighted with their willingness to be on the same page and we will get there." Regarding Jacquet, Iraola said, "Jeremy played exceptionally well, and Ronald also performed admirably when he came on.
Jeremie Frimpong delivered a very good performance too, playing the full 90 minutes as a right‑back, contributing both offensively and defensively. Overall, we saw solid performances at the back." In summary, Jacquet’s debut not only added a goal to the scoreboard but also signalled a promising future for Liverpool’s defensive line‑up.
His blend of composure, physicality, and willingness to engage in the game’s finer details suggests he could become a mainstay alongside van Dijk. As the pre‑season draws to a close, the team’s incremental improvements provide optimism ahead of the forthcoming Premier League campaign. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.