Liverpool are continuing their search for a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, with Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche emerging as a key target. The Frenchman, who made only one appearance at the World Cup for France, would arrive at Anfield as an unknown quantity in the Premier League. However, his potential move could bring an added benefit: helping new signing Jeremy Jacquet settle in.
Jacquet, a centre-back, completed his move to Liverpool long before Andoni Iraola took over as manager but only joined this summer. In the excitement over Akliouche, some may not have realised the two have played together before.
Shared history in France youth setup
A glance at Les Bleuets' line-up from a 2025 win in Slovakia reveals the depth of French talent. Jacquet's fellow centre-backs Castello Lukeba and Killian Sildillia already have Champions League experience, while goalkeeper Robin Risser helped Lens qualify for the next season's competition. The midfield was headlined by Ayyoub Bouaddi, who later switched international allegiances to Morocco and starred at the 2026 World Cup.
In attack, Mathys Tel and Arnaud Kalimuendo started up front, each scoring twice. Akliouche was on the bench at kick-off but was in fine company, with potential new teammate Hugo Ekitike and Everton striker Thierno Barry also among the substitutes.
Senior debuts and injury setbacks
Six months later, Akliouche made his senior France debut, replacing Michael Olise in a victory over Ukraine. He did enough last season to convince Didier Deschamps to include him in France's World Cup squad, where his only outing came as a late substitute for Bradley Barcola against Iraq.
Jacquet is still awaiting his senior France debut, with an injury in the second half of last season delaying any call-up. However, having a familiar face in the same squad—and Ekitike once he returns from injury—will surely be a benefit.
Iraola on further signings
There could yet be more signings, though manager Iraola has not put a number on things. "No, I think it’s difficult to say a number when the market is open, and you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad," he said. "There are obvious situations that we know where we need to sign players. A winger, for example – we definitely need to sign a winger. But there are other situations that we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what’s the cost, how we also see the players we have."
"We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust but is still not the ideal situation. So, it will depend on a lot of things."
