Jeremy Jacquet stole the spotlight as Liverpool secured a reassuring 2-0 victory over Como in the final pre‑season friendly at Anfield, delivering a performance that hinted at a promising future for the young French defender. The 21‑year‑old, who joined the Reds from Rennes in February, made an immediate impact by netting the second goal just before the interval, doubling the lead that Cody Gakpo had already established. The opening strike came early, with Gakpo finding the back of the net to give Liverpool an early advantage. Minutes later, Gakpo delivered a precise cross into the box, and Jacquet timed his run perfectly to slot the ball home with a simple tap‑in.
The goal not only cemented Liverpool's two‑goal cushion but also marked a memorable debut for the newcomer. Shortly after the goal, Jacquet was substituted for fellow recent signing Ronald Araujo at halftime, allowing the manager to assess both players in the same match. The second half saw a noticeable dip in tempo, a shift that favored the visitors. Como, having struggled to create clear chances in the first period, began to dominate possession and generate more threatening moves.
Their improved rhythm resulted in a few near‑misses, including a close‑range effort from Rodriguez that struck the side‑netting and a header from Diao that skimmed the Liverpool crossbar on a swift counter‑attack. Despite these moments, Liverpool's defensive organization held firm, and the home side preserved the clean sheet. Liverpool's recent form had been mixed; they had surrendered a two‑goal lead to Monaco in the previous friendly, a setback that raised concerns about defensive resilience. This time, however, the Reds displayed greater composure, with Ryan Gravenberch even rattling the post late on.
Alongside Jacquet and Gakpo, other newcomers such as Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha impressed, showcasing the depth and quality of Andoni Iraola's squad. Not all players enjoyed a flawless outing.
Alexander Isak, who had scored against Monaco, missed a promising opportunity when his shot struck the far post early in the game. Florian Wirtz, the German playmaker, failed to make a significant impact, his touches appearing more decorative than decisive. Their performances underscored the work still required before the competitive season begins, especially with the crucial match against Newcastle United looming at St James' Park. The match timeline highlighted several key moments: - 8' – Isak's effort rebounds off the far post.
- 23' – Frimpong delivers a brilliant pass to Gakpo, who fires Liverpool ahead. - 44' – Gakpo's cross finds Jacquet, who calmly taps it into the net.
- 58' – Rodriguez's shot for Como hits the side‑netting. - 85' – Diao's counter‑attack strike brushes the Liverpool crossbar. - 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 crowd responded with a warm welcome. The defender repaid that enthusiasm with a solid first half, displaying both composure and physicality.
Within the opening half‑minute, he linked up with teammates on purposeful passes, signalling his intent to inject vigor into a Liverpool backline that had appeared sluggish under the previous manager, Arne Slot. Approximately thirty minutes into the game, Jacquet's defensive commitment drew chants from the Kop. He executed a strong challenge inside his own half, holding his opponent off and then successfully battling for the ball in the ensuing duel. His demeanor combined calmness with a noticeable steeliness, suggesting a player comfortable under pressure yet eager to assert himself.
The performance was not without blemishes. Just before the half‑hour mark, Jacquet mistimed a tackle and required Jeremie Frimpong to cover him with a timely intervention. A subsequent clearance was clumsy, but he redeemed himself by making a crucial interception inside the penalty area later on.
These moments illustrated the learning curve typical for a newcomer adapting to the intensity of Premier League football. Jacquet's goal capped a strong first half, after which he was substituted at the break to allow Araujo to gain minutes. While Araujo arrived on loan, Jacquet is viewed as a long‑term solution for Liverpool's defensive needs, and his debut provided a promising glimpse of his potential role.
The match statistics showed Ibrahima Konaté's speed, yet his footwork sometimes lagged, highlighting the need for a partner who can complement Virgil van Dijk's experience with youthful energy. In Jacquet, Iraola appears to have found that complementary piece.
Post‑match, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola praised the team's display: "We needed the feeling of finishing with a clean sheet and a win. The first half was better than the second, but we kept our organisation and composure. It was important to end the game without conceding." He continued, "We are better than last week.
I hope we improve even more next week. Many players completed the full 90 minutes without cramping, which is a good sign.
The second half still needs work, especially in terms of intensity." Iraola emphasized the collective responsibility required for success: "Every player, every minute, every action matters. I'm pleased with the attitude in training. I've asked them to adjust certain aspects, particularly when we are out of possession, and I think they are responding well.
We are not perfect, but the willingness to align and improve is evident." Regarding Jacquet, the manager added, "Jeremy performed very well, and Ronald also did a great job when he came on. Jeremie Frimpong gave an excellent performance at right‑back, contributing both offensively and defensively.
Overall, we saw solid displays at the back." Looking ahead, Liverpool will aim to build on this encouraging performance as they prepare for the Premier League season. The integration of new signings like Jacquet and Araujo, combined with the continued development of existing talents, will be crucial in addressing the defensive frailties observed in previous campaigns. Fans will be eager to see whether the momentum from this friendly can translate into a strong start to the competitive season, especially with the upcoming clash against Newcastle United providing an early benchmark for the team's progress. For those interested in following Liverpool's journey, the club's news and transfer updates remain available, and fans can stream Premier League action via NOW, connect with Sky Sports on WhatsApp, and even enter promotional contests such as the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million.