Andoni Iraola Confirms Jeremy Jacquet's Return Date as Liverpool Prepares for Como Friendlies

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has revealed that new signing Jeremy Jacquet is close to making his first appearance for the club. The French defender, who joined from Rennes in a deal worth up to £60 million, has been recovering from a shoulder injury and is now expected to feature in the upcoming double-header against Como.

Jacquet’s Injury Management and Expected Return

Fans have been eager to see Jacquet in action, but he missed the initial pre-season games including the recent 3-2 loss to Monaco at Anfield. The 21-year-old spent the last week training separately as he continued his rehabilitation from a shoulder issue sustained after his transfer agreement was made in January.

After the Monaco match, Iraola spoke to LFCTV about Jacquet’s availability. He said, "Jeremy, we were in doubt whether to pick him today or not; we decided not. But he should be fine for the next one." This indicates the medical staff are confident in his recovery, aiming for a debut in the double fixtures scheduled for next Sunday.

Cautious Approach Due to Previous Surgery

The careful handling of Jacquet’s return stems from his previous shoulder surgery, making the club extra cautious especially following the recent injury to Joe Gomez. Early in pre-season, Jacquet trained well but experienced some discomfort, prompting this conservative approach.

Defensive Line-Up Challenges and Reinforcements

The timing of Jacquet’s comeback is significant since Liverpool’s defense has lacked senior centre-back depth. Against Monaco, only Virgil van Dijk and Ifeanyi Ndukwe were available in central defense. While Ndukwe impressed during the summer, fans have worried about defensive cover.

To strengthen this area further, Liverpool has also secured a loan deal for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, adding experienced competition. Jacquet expressed enthusiasm about learning from Van Dijk, stating, "At Liverpool, apart from the fact that Virgil van Dijk is nearing the end of his career, training with him is going to be huge. He’s going to teach me so much. Training with guys like that, it doesn’t get any better than that."

Final Pre-Season Tests Against Como

Liverpool’s pre-season will wrap up with two matches against Como next Sunday. The day starts with a behind-closed-doors game at the AXA Training Centre at noon, followed by a public friendly at 6 pm. It is expected that Iraola will use the evening match as a full dress rehearsal for the Premier League opener.

Jacquet may get playing time in the earlier private session to regain sharpness without pressure from fans or media. This gradual integration could set him up well for the competitive season ahead.

• Club: Liverpool
• Player: Jeremy Jacquet
• Transfer fee: Up to £60 million
• Injury: Shoulder issue, recovering
• Upcoming fixtures: Double-header vs Como on August 16, 2026
• Recent result: 2-3 loss to Monaco
• Defensive concerns: Limited centre-backs available recently
• Additional reinforcement: Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona