Andoni Iraola Confirms Jeremy Jacquet's Return as Liverpool Gears Up for Como Friendlies

Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s head coach, has announced that Jeremy Jacquet is close to making his first appearance for the club following a summer transfer from Rennes valued at £60 million. The French defender has been carefully managed due to a shoulder injury sustained earlier this year and is now expected to feature in Liverpool's upcoming friendlies against Como.

Jacquet’s Absence and Recovery

Fans have been waiting to see Jacquet in action since his signing, but he missed the initial pre-season matches, including the recent 3-2 loss to Monaco at Anfield. The 21-year-old spent the last week training separately as he continues rehabilitation from his shoulder surgery. This cautious approach stems from concerns after the injury re-emerged during early pre-season training.

"We were unsure whether to include him against Monaco, so we decided not to," Iraola said. "But he should be ready for the next match."

This statement suggests the medical staff are confident in Jacquet’s progress, setting the stage for his debut possibly next Sunday.

Defensive Strengthening Amid Squad Concerns

Jacquet’s return is timely for Liverpool’s defense, which looked stretched in the friendly against Monaco where only Virgil van Dijk and Ifeanyi Ndukwe were available as specialist centre-backs. While Ndukwe has shown promise, depth remains a concern.

The club has also secured Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, adding more quality and competition in defense. Jacquet himself expressed eagerness to learn from the seasoned captain van Dijk: "Training with him is going to be huge. He’s going to teach me so much. It doesn’t get better than that."

Final Pre-Season Challenge: Como Double-Header

Liverpool’s pre-season will wrap up with two matches against Como scheduled for next Sunday. The day begins with a closed-doors game at 12pm at the AXA Training Centre, followed by a public match at 6pm.

Iraola might use the evening fixture as a dress rehearsal for the Premier League opener, while Jacquet could feature in the earlier, private session to regain match fitness away from the spotlight.

• Upcoming Fixtures:
• Arsenal vs Como: 12 August 2026, 20:30
• Liverpool vs Como: 16 August 2026, 13:00