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’s precise pass set Jacquet up for a simple tap‑in, a moment that turned out to be the youngster’s last contribution before he was substituted for fellow newcomer Ronald Araujo at the break.
The tempo of the match slowed after the change, a shift that benefited the visitors, who began to dominate possession in the second half. Liverpool had flirted with a two‑goal deficit against Monaco the previous week, but they avoided a repeat of that drama, even as Ryan Gravenberch clanged a shot against the crossbar late on. Alongside Gakpo and Jacquet, the likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha impressed, showcasing the depth of Andoni Iraola’s squad.
Some players still have work to do. Alexander Isak, who scored against Monaco, struck the post early in this encounter and faded thereafter, while German playmaker Florian Wirtz, also on the scoresheet against Monaco, failed to make a significant impact. Their performances will be scrutinised as Liverpool prepare for the crucial Premier League clash at St James’ Park next Sunday. Key moments of the match included: - 8′ – Isak’s effort ricochets off the far post.
- 23′ – Frimpong delivers a brilliant pass to Gakpo, who fires Liverpool ahead. - 44′ – Gakpo squares the ball across for Jacquet, who calmly taps it home.
- 58′ – Rodriguez’s shot rattles the side‑netting for Como. - 85′ – Diao’s effort skims the Liverpool crossbar on the counter‑attack.
- 89′ – Szoboszlai finds Gravenberch, whose shot hits the bar. When the teams were announced, Jacquet’s name was met with a warm reception from the Anfield crowd, and he repaid that enthusiasm with a performance that could earn him a starting berth against Newcastle. Within the first half‑minute, he displayed purposeful passing, signalling his intent to inject energy into a backline that had occasionally seemed sluggish under Arne Slot’s previous regime. About fifteen minutes in, the Kop erupted in chants of his name after he executed a robust challenge and successfully held off his opponent in the ensuing duel.
Jacquet combined composure with a hint of steel, a blend that impressed both fans and coaching staff. His debut was not without blemishes. He missed a tackle just before the thirty‑minute mark, requiring Frimpong to cover for him with a timely intervention.
A subsequent clumsy clearance was quickly redeemed by a vital interception inside the box, demonstrating his ability to recover from mistakes. The decisive goal, a simple tap‑in from Gakpo’s cross, capped a solid first half before Jacquet was substituted at the interval. While Araujo has arrived on loan, Jacquet is viewed as the long‑term solution for Liverpool’s defensive line, and his performance bodes well for his future involvement.
Statistical analysis highlighted Ibrahima Konaté’s quickness, though his legs sometimes needed a moment to reach full speed. At 35, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk now requires pace and reliability alongside him, and Jacquet appears to be the ideal partner to provide that balance. Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s head coach, praised the team’s display: "We needed the confidence of keeping a clean sheet and winning. The first half was stronger than the second, but we maintained organisation and composure.
It’s the feeling we wanted before the season started." He added, "We are better than last week. I hope we improve further next week.
Many players completed the full 90 minutes without cramps, which is a good sign." Iraola continued, "There is still room for improvement, especially in the second half. Every player must give their all every minute, every action – that’s the commitment I expect. I’m delighted with the players’ attitude; they train hard and are adapting to new tactical demands, particularly when we are out of possession. We are not perfect, but the willingness to align and improve is evident." Regarding Jacquet, Iraola remarked, "Jeremy performed exceptionally well, and Ronald also impressed after coming on.
Jeremie Frimpong delivered a superb performance, covering the full ninety minutes as a right‑back, contributing both offensively and defensively. Overall, we saw strong defensive displays today." The match not only offered a platform for new signings to showcase their abilities but also provided a glimpse of Liverpool’s evolving defensive structure ahead of the Premier League campaign. With Jacquet’s promising debut, the club appears to have added a reliable option to its backline, complementing the experience of Van Dijk and the emerging talent of Konaté. As the season approaches, Liverpool fans will be eager to see how these developments translate into competitive fixtures, particularly the upcoming showdown at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.