Andoni Iraola confirms Jeremy Jacquet injury return date as Liverpool prepare for Como double-header
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed that summer signing Jeremy Jacquet is closing in on his first appearance for the club following an extended period of rehabilitation. The 21-year-old French defender, who has been carefully managed during the off-season, is now expected to feature in the upcoming double-header against Como. Jacquet's return represents a significant boost for the Reds' defensive ranks as they prepare for the competitive campaign ahead.
Recovery Timeline and Manager's Confirmation
Jacquet was absent once again as Iraola's side fell to a 3-2 defeat against Monaco at Anfield on Sunday, continuing his extended absence from the squad following a shoulder injury that has hampered his availability throughout the pre-season schedule. The former Rennes player has spent the past week working away from the main training group as he progresses through his rehabilitation programme, carefully monitored by Liverpool's medical department.
Speaking after the Monaco match, Iraola detailed his thinking regarding Jacquet's selection. According to the manager, "We were in doubt whether to put him in. We decided not to but he should be fine for the next one. It's taking a bit more time than we were expecting." This statement indicates that the medical department is satisfied with Jacquet's gradual progress and has cleared him to feature in the final pre-season fixtures before the Premier League campaign gets underway.
The Injury Background and Conservative Management
Jacquet's shoulder problem dates back to February, shortly after Liverpool's initial agreement to sign him was reached in January. The injury forced the club to adopt a particularly cautious approach during the early stages of pre-season, especially given fitness concerns affecting Joe Gomez at the same time.
Despite training well at the beginning of pre-season, Jacquet subsequently experienced discomfort that prompted Liverpool to take a conservative stance with the young defender's rehabilitation. The club's medical team has worked extensively with him away from the main training group, gradually building his fitness and ensuring he is fully recovered before exposing him to competitive action. The positive signals emerging from those dedicated rehabilitation sessions have paved the way for his expected return to match football.
Defensive Depth Crisis and Strategic Reinforcements
Jacquet's imminent return comes at a critical juncture for Liverpool's defensive line, which has been exposed during pre-season fixtures. During the Monaco friendly, Virgil van Dijk and Ifeanyi Ndukwe were the only fit specialist centre-backs available to start the match, highlighting the concerning lack of senior depth in that area of the pitch. The situation became even more acute during the second half when tactical changes forced Wataru Endo to operate in an unfamiliar defensive position.
The news of Jacquet's near-readiness will provide welcome relief to supporters growing concerned about defensive stability. However, Liverpool's defensive reinforcements extend significantly beyond the French defender alone. The club has secured a season-long loan deal for Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, a 27-year-old centre-back who completed his medical on Sunday. The deal includes an option to buy for around 47.2 million pounds, bringing elite-level cover and genuine competition for places alongside van Dijk.
Jacquet has already expressed his eagerness to benefit from working alongside the Reds' captain and learning from one of the world's premier defenders. "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 stated. "He's going to teach me so much. Training with guys like that it doesn't get any better than that."
The Como Double-Header and Return to Action
Liverpool's pre-season preparations will culminate in a double-header against Como on 16 August, which will serve as the final examination before the competitive campaign begins in earnest. The schedule comprises a behind-closed-doors fixture at the AXA Training Centre at 12pm, followed by a more formal clash at 6pm on the same day.
Iraola is widely expected to use the evening fixture as a dress rehearsal for the Premier League opener, suggesting that Jacquet could be handed minutes in the earlier private session to build up his match sharpness without the glare of public scrutiny. This pragmatic approach would allow the young defender to gain valuable game time and prove his readiness for competitive football while minimizing any potential risk of re-aggravating his shoulder injury.
With the medical department satisfied with Jacquet's progress and Iraola confirming his availability for the weekend, the French defender appears poised to finally end his extended absence and make his long-awaited competitive debut for Liverpool.