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Andoni Iraola provides updates on two Liverpool absentees
Jeremy Jacquet Set for Liverpool Return as Andoni Iraola Manages Defensive Options
Liverpool expect Jeremy Jacquet to be available for next weekend’s friendly with Como at Anfield, offering Andoni Iraola a timely boost ahead of the final stage of pre-season. The £60 million summer arrival from Rennes has yet to make his first appearance after a disrupted build-up, but there is growing confidence that wait may soon end.
Jacquet joined officially this summer after an agreement was reached in the winter window. The 21-year-old defender had recovered from the serious shoulder injury that ruled him out in February, only for a minor knee issue in training to delay his integration. Liverpool have opted for caution throughout, with Iraola making clear that the club are taking no unnecessary risks. He said, “We were in doubt whether to put Jeremy in today, but he should be fine for the next one. It’s taking a bit more time than we were expecting.”
Jacquet joined officially this summer after an agreement was reached in the winter window. The 21-year-old defender had recovered from the serious shoulder injury that ruled him out in February, only for a minor knee issue in training to delay his integration. Liverpool have opted for caution throughout, with Iraola making clear that the club are taking no unnecessary risks. He said, “We were in doubt whether to put Jeremy in today, but he should be fine for the next one. It’s taking a bit more time than we were expecting.”
Jacquet return could ease Liverpool defensive shortage
Liverpool’s defensive resources were stretched again in the 3-2 defeat to Monaco. With Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni unavailable, Virgil van Dijk was paired with teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe at centre-back from the start. After the interval, further changes saw Wataru Endo and Luke Chambers used as a makeshift central pairing, underlining the need for more senior cover.
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Photo: IMAGO
That support is close. Ronald Araujo is due to complete a season-long loan move from Barcelona once his medical is finalised, a deal that should add experience and physicality to Iraola’s back line. Between Araujo’s arrival and Jacquet’s expected comeback, Liverpool hope to be in a stronger position for the final friendly and the competitive fixtures that follow.
Curtis Jones absence explained amid transfer interest
Curtis Jones was left out against Monaco, prompting fresh attention around his future. The midfielder is entering the final year of his contract and remains a player of interest to Inter. Internally, however, the explanation for his omission was fitness related rather than transfer driven. Iraola said, “Curtis has trained every day, but yesterday he finished with some issues in the hip. Nothing big, but it didn’t make any sense to risk him.”
Andoni Iraola sees positives and problems after Monaco defeat
Liverpool produced an encouraging first-half display before surrendering a 2-0 lead. Iraola’s assessment pointed to the physical and tactical drop-off after the break, with work still required before the new campaign. He said, “We played a good first half, but we cannot sustain the level we want for all of the game. They were much better in the second half and deserved to turn around the game. We have work to do. We can take a lot of positives, but also a lot of negatives.”
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