Jérémy Jacquet has suffered a hamstring strain on France duty. Here is the latest update as Liverpool face a nervous wait before Manchester City.
Will Liverpool’s new defensive sensation miss the biggest match of the season so far?
Liverpool supporters now face an agonising wait over the coming days after summer breakout star Jérémy Jacquet missed international action on Monday evening. Having made an instant impact following his big-money move from Rennes and locking down a starting berth alongside Virgil van Dijk, news of a hamstring setback for the 21-year-old French centre-back creates the exact scenario Andoni Iraola wanted to avoid ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash against Manchester City at Anfield.
Forced out of international duty
France completely left Jacquet out of their squad for their UEFA Nations League encounter against Belgium on Monday night. Consequently, French manager Zinedine Zidane shuffled his backline and handed Manchester United defender Leny Yoro his international debut.
Meanwhile, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed via Get French Football News that the young defender felt a strain in his left hamstring prior to kickoff. Because the medical staff refused to take unnecessary risks over his long-term fitness, France sidelined Jacquet to prevent further damage before he returned to club duty.
Speaking directly to reporters after France’s 4-1 victory over Belgium, Zidane confirmed the situation:
“Jeremy (Jacquet) was slightly injured.”
Unfortunately, this issue brings a frustrating, premature end to what started as a dream first senior call-up for Jacquet. Indeed, the 21-year-old had impressed across his first two senior appearances for Les Bleus, playing a full 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory against Belgium and delivering a commanding performance in a 1-1 draw against Italy just three days prior. Naturally, Zidane thoroughly admired Jacquet’s tactical bravery, showering the young defender with glowing praise following the Italy match:
“Very good. Very, very good. Brave. He wasn’t afraid to come out a long way. Very good in the duels. He was, once again, very good. I said it four times!”
A cruel blow to Jacquet’s flying Anfield start
For Kopites, watching Jacquet earn such public backing from a footballing legend like Zidane validated everything Anfield has witnessed this season. Ever since he made his Premier League debut in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, Jacquet has anchored Iraola’s defense as Van Dijk’s primary partner.
Furthermore, that rapid adaptation explains why this hamstring strain strikes such a heavy blow. Speaking before the international break, Iraola discussed how Jacquet was overcoming early-season fatigue and building up his physical endurance:
“I think in the first games, physically he was feeling the change of rhythm, he was finishing with cramps, finishing really tired and we had to sub him. Today has been a step forward. He looked solid until the end and I think he’s finished physically also in a good place. I hope he can continue this development.”
In fact, Iraola had previously expressed his delight when Jacquet earned his initial call-up to Zidane’s squad last month:
“I’m happy for him because he’s also received his first international call-up. He’s going with France and that is a big national team and I know that he is happy. He’s still very young, he is adapting really well to the Premier League.”
What it means for Liverpool against Manchester City
Now, Jacquet returns to Merseyside, where Liverpool’s medical team will conduct detailed scans and assessments at the AXA Training Centre.
Undoubtedly, the timing of the injury creates a massive problem. League leaders Manchester City visit Anfield on Sunday sitting top of the table with 15 points from five matches, while Liverpool sit sixth on nine points. Additionally, City make their first appearance since the Premier League found them guilty of all charges for breaching financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
If Jacquet misses Sunday’s clash, Joe Gomez stands out as the most natural replacement to partner Van Dijk. However, while Gomez offers significant big-match experience, losing Jacquet’s unique recovery pace, aerial strength, and aggressive forward passing delivers a major tactical blow against the visitors attack.
Ultimately, supporters hope the French medical team’s cautious approach protected Jacquet from severe damage so the young Frenchman can recover in time to anchor Liverpool’s defence this weekend.
