Jeremy Jacquet stole the spotlight as Liverpool secured a reassuring 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, marked his first appearance with a goal just before the break, doubling the advantage that Cody Gakpo had created earlier in the half.
Gakpo opened the scoring with a well‑timed strike, and moments later he delivered a precise low cross that found Jacquet in the box. The young centre‑back calmly slotted the ball home, completing his debut with a tap‑in that would prove to be his final contribution before being substituted for fellow newcomer Ronald Araujo at halftime. The change in personnel slowed the tempo, allowing the visiting side from Como to dominate possession in the second period, but Liverpool’s early lead proved decisive. The Liverpool side had been embarrassed by a two‑goal collapse against Monaco the previous week, yet they avoided a repeat of that drama on this occasion.
Even Ryan Gravenberch managed to smash a header onto the crossbar late on, underscoring the defensive solidity the hosts displayed. Alongside Jacquet and Gakpo, full‑back Jeremie Frimpong and midfielder Rio Ngumoha also impressed, showcasing the depth of Andoni Iraola’s squad. Not every player enjoyed a flawless showing.
Alexander Isak, who had found the net against Monaco, struck the post early in the match and then faded into the background. German playmaker Florian Wirtz, also a goal‑scorer in the Monaco game, was largely invisible, his influence limited to occasional passes.
Their subdued performances will be scrutinised as the team prepares for the competitive opener at St James’ Park next Sunday. Key moments of the match were captured in the broadcast’s timeline: a near‑miss from Isak at the far post (minute 8), Frimpong’s clever assist to Gakpo (minute 23), Gakpo’s cross that set up Jacquet’s goal (minute 44), a close‑range effort from Como’s Rodriguez that rattled the side‑netting (minute 58), Diao’s shot that skimmed the Liverpool crossbar on a counter‑attack (minute 85), and Gravenberch’s effort that clanged off the bar after a pass from Szoboszlai (minute 89). When the teams were announced, Anfield’s speakers called out Jacquet’s name, and the crowd responded with a warm welcome.
The young defender repaid that enthusiasm with a composed, confident performance that should put him firmly in contention for a starting berth against Newcastle United next week. Within the first half‑minute, Jacquet displayed his intent with purposeful passes that added vigor to a backline that had sometimes appeared sluggish under Arne Slot’s previous regime. About fifteen minutes in, the Kop erupted as he executed a strong challenge, holding his opponent off and then winning a subsequent duel for possession.
He appeared calm yet determined, blending composure with a hint of steel. The performance was not without blemishes; just before the thirty‑minute mark he missed a tackle and required Frimpong’s covering intervention.
A poorly timed clearance followed, but Jacquet quickly redeemed himself with a vital interception inside the penalty area. His goal, a simple tap‑in from Gakpo’s cross, capped a solid first half before he was taken off at the interval for Araujo, who arrived on loan. While Araujo offers a physical presence, Jacquet is viewed as the long‑term solution for Liverpool’s central defence, and his debut gave fans plenty of reasons for optimism. Statistical analysis from the match highlighted Ibrahima Konaté’s quickness, though his legs occasionally seemed to lag.
At 35, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk now requires pace and agility around him, and Jacquet appears to be the ideal partner to provide that dynamism. The pairing could offer a blend of experience and youthful energy that Liverpool has been missing. Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s head coach, praised the team’s performance: "We needed this feeling of finishing with a clean sheet and winning the game.
The first half was better than the second, but we kept our organisation and composure. We found a way to finish with a clean sheet, which was essential before the season starts." He continued, "We are better than we were last week. I hope next week we are better than we were today. You can say the first half was still stronger, but today many players completed 90 minutes without cramping.
It's an improvement, yet especially in the second half we need to be better. We need every player, every minute, every action – that’s the commitment. I'm very happy with the attitude of the players. They are training well, and I’m asking them to do things a little differently, especially off the ball, and I think they are trying to get it." Regarding Jacquet, Iraola added, "Jeremy played really well, and Ronald also performed admirably when he came on.
Jeremie Frimpong gave a very good performance as well, playing 90 minutes at right‑back, contributing offensively while also defending his side effectively. Some solid performances at the back overall." Overall, the friendly served as a confidence‑boosting showcase for Liverpool’s new signings and a reminder that the squad is tightening its defensive cohesion ahead of the Premier League campaign. The fans left Anfield with a sense of optimism, eager to see how these early signs translate into competitive matches in the weeks to come.