Jérémy Jacquet marked an impressive Liverpool debut with a goal as Andoni Iraola‘s side rounded off preseason with a 2-0 victory over Como on Sunday.
Jacquet, who joined Liverpool this summer in a £60 million ($81 million) transfer from Rennes, had not featured in the club’s previous preseason games due to a minor knee problem but he looked sharp on his first appearance at Anfield, playing 45 minutes alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.
The 21-year-old caught the eye with some fine interceptions on Sunday evening before tapping home from Cody Gakpo‘s cross on the stroke of halftime.
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Gakpo had earlier given Liverpool the lead, finishing deftly from close range after a driving run from Jeremie Frimpong in the 23rd minute. The Reds had other chances to find the back of the net in the first half, with Alexander Isak rattling the post with a curling effort and Dominik Szoboszlai drilling a powerful shot just wide.
Fresh from their 1-1 draw with Premier League champions Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, Como also carved out a number of good opportunities but couldn’t make their hosts pay. Jesús Rodriguez forced Alisson Becker into a sharp save at his near post in the first half before Van Dijk denied Tasos Douvikas what looked to be a certain goal with an excellent challenge in the box after the break.
Uruguay international Ronald Araújo also made his Liverpool debut in the second half, replacing Jacquet and playing for the first time since his season-long loan move from Barcelona was confirmed.
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Sunday’s victory provided more important minutes in the legs for Iraola’s side, which begins its Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United next Sunday. The Reds could yet add to their ranks before that trip to St James Park, with the club still in the market for a wide forward
Sources told ESPN negotiations are ongoing with Paris Saint-Germain for winger Bradley Barcola, while teammate Ibrahim Mbaye has also been among the names considered. Both players were absent from PSG’s squad for their Trophée des Champions clash with Lens on Sunday night.
