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, made an immediate impact by netting the second goal just before the interval, extending the lead that Cody Gakpo had already established. Gakpo opened the scoring with a well‑timed strike, then floated a precise pass to Jacquet, who calmly slotted the ball home to double Liverpool's advantage.
The goal proved to be Jacquet's only contribution before he was substituted at half‑time for fellow newcomer Ronald Araujo. The change slowed the tempo, allowing Como to gain a foothold and dominate possession in the second half, but Liverpool's early dominance proved enough to see them through. The Anfield crowd were treated to a performance that contrasted sharply with Liverpool's recent wobble against Monaco, where they squandered a two‑goal cushion. This time, the Reds held firm, even as Ryan Gravenberch rattled the crossbar in the closing stages.
Alongside Jacquet and Gakpo, other newcomers such as Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha impressed, showcasing the depth of Andoni Iraola's squad. Not every player enjoyed a flawless outing.
Alexander Isak, who had found the net against Monaco, missed an early chance for Como, striking the post, while German midfielder Florian Wirtz was largely invisible. Their subdued displays highlighted the gap between Liverpool's attacking firepower and the opposition's defensive frailties. Key moments of the match included: - 8' – Isak's effort bounced off the far post for Como. - 23' – Frimpong delivered a brilliant pass to Gakpo, who fired Liverpool ahead.
- 44' – Gakpo crossed to Jacquet, who tapped the ball home. - 58' – Rodriguez's shot clipped the side‑netting for Como.
- 85' – Diao's effort skimmed the Liverpool crossbar on a counter‑attack. - 89' – Szoboszlai set up Gravenberch, whose header struck the bar. When the teams were announced, Anfield gave Jacquet a warm reception, and he repaid the fans with a composed, confident display that should put his name firmly in contention for a starting berth against Newcastle next week. Within the first half‑minute, he demonstrated his intent with purposeful passes that injected energy into a Liverpool backline that had sometimes appeared sluggish under Arne Slot's previous regime.
Approximately 30 seconds in, the Kop erupted in chants of his name after Jacquet executed a robust challenge, holding off his opponent in a tight duel. He combined composure with a steely resolve, qualities that impressed both the supporters and the coaching staff. Though not without flaws—a mistimed tackle just before the 30‑minute mark required Frimpong's cover and a clumsy clearance later on—Jacquet quickly redeemed himself with a crucial interception inside the box. His goal, a simple tap‑in from Gakpo's cross, capped a solid first half before he was taken off at the break.
While Araujo entered on loan, Jacquet is viewed as the long‑term solution for Liverpool's defensive line, and his debut suggests a promising partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk, who, at 35, now needs pace and agility around him. Statistical analysis shows Ibrahima Konaté's speed remains a threat, but his movements can be intermittent. Jacquet, by contrast, appears to offer the ideal blend of quickness and positional awareness, potentially providing the balance Liverpool's back four has been missing.
Andoni Iraola praised the team's performance, emphasizing the importance of a clean sheet and a win to build confidence ahead of the season. He noted the first half was superior to the second but highlighted the squad's overall organization and composure.
"We are better than last week. I hope next week we improve further.
Many players completed 90 minutes without cramps, which is a good sign," the coach said. Iraola also singled out Jacquet's contribution, stating, "Jeremy played really well, and Ronald performed admirably when he came on.
Jeremie Frimpong delivered an excellent performance, covering the right side both offensively and defensively. The back line showed solid work overall." In summary, Liverpool's 2-0 triumph over Como provided a valuable confidence boost, showcased the depth of Iraola's squad, and gave a glimpse of a potential new defensive partnership between Jacquet and van Dijk.
The team will look to refine the second‑half intensity and maintain the defensive solidity demonstrated at Anfield as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League fixtures, beginning with a crucial clash at St James' Park.