Liverpool are sweating over Jeremy Jacquet’s fitness as they prepare to face Como in their final pre-season friendlies of the summer. The £60million arrival from Rennes has not yet played for his new side, having seen last season curtailed with a shoulder problem. He is back in team training but is struggling with an unspecified issue that also led him to miss the recent 3-2 defeat by Monaco.
Defensive concerns
Andoni Iraola’s side are looking light in central defence, with three injury concerns leaving Virgil van Dijk as the only fit centre-back available. Giovanni Leoni continues his recovery from the ACL injury sustained on debut this time last year in the Carabao Cup, while Joe Gomez limped off in the 4-2 win over Sunderland, replaced by Ifeanyi Ndukwe. That muscle injury is likely to scupper his start to the season.
Iraola has also had to deal with the loss of Ibrahima Konate, who left on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract, signing for Real Madrid. The former Bournemouth boss has acted in the transfer market, bringing in Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona.
Midfield and attacking updates
Curtis Jones has been hampered with a hip injury, despite being linked with a move to Inter Milan. The midfielder returned to training having missed the defeat by Monaco. There is also concern over World Cup duo Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, who have both returned to the club but will have their fitness levels monitored after their respective nations’ run to the final.
Newly-signed youngsters Ndukwe and Talla Ndiaye have both featured in pre-season, as has Luke Chambers. Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are longer-term absentees with knee and Achilles injuries respectively. Otherwise, it is as you were for Iraola in terms of personnel. Van Dijk returned to action against Monaco, and so did first-choice goalkeeper Alisson.
Predicted lineup and match details
It remains to be seen whether the Spaniard will want to try fielding what he believes to be his strongest XI in the back-to-back games on Sunday, but what he lacks in senior backup, he has plentiful young starlets ready to step in.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Ngumouha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Doubts: Jacquet, Jones, Mac Allister, Munoz. Injured: Bradley, Leoni, Ekitike, Gomez, Danns. Venue: Anfield. Kick offs: Behind closed doors: 11.30am BST, ticketed friendly: 6pm BST on Sunday, August 16, 2026. How to watch: All Red Video.
