In Sunday’s Liverpool vs Como 1907 part two we finally got a chance to witness the reasons why many of the biggest football clubs in Europe and England (yeah, thanks Brexit) were chasing 21 years old French center back Jeremy Jacquet’s signature. His first real touch of the ball already gave a clue to why and as the first half progressed it all became very clear and I think every Liverpool supporter felt the warm glow of a transfer that ticked all the boxes (and then some). Added to that was the impressive
presence of a footballing warrior in the form of new loan signing Ronald Araujo and what a unit he is.
Jeremy Jacquet
Jacquet’s footballing story began in 2011 with AS Outre Mer du Bois l’Abbe then moving onto RC Joinville in 2013 but his professional career took off with a move to Rennes in 2019 where he got his debut in January 2024. It was only a few weeks later that he was loaned out to Clermont for the remainder of the season and stayed for the 2024/25 season. Returning to Rennes Jacquet signed a new contract yet at the beginning of Febuary 2026 Liverpool managed to get a pre-contract signed and Jacquet joined his new club this summer.
Unfortunately Jacquet suffered a serious shoulder injury which made the last time he played the 7th February, a mere five days after signing for Liverpool. Obviously the reaction from most Liverpool supporters was one of disappointment with a hint of despair as we have suffered from injury prone center back’s for many seasons. With new head coach Andoni Iraola appearing to be hesitant to play young Jacquet during the pre-season US tour and then the one against AS Monaco at Anfield there were growing concerns amongst many Reds supporters. The frustrations grew as our center back situation was basically Virgil as the only fit player but some of that was eased with the surprise loan signing of Barcelona’s, once captain and Uraguayan Araujo and then the moment came with Jeremy Jacquet making the starting eleven against Como 1907 at Anfield in the fading summer evening chill on Sunday.
The Anfield faithful were not to be disappointed as it soon became apparent that 21 years old Jacquet is something special with a wonderful mix of physical strength, confidence on the ball (and skills to match) recovery speed, spacial awareness plus reading of the game, that has been one of our captain Virgil’s super powers, and goal scoring abilities.
It was on the 37th minute of the game, after Jacquet making another solid block preventing a Como shot on target, the Kop burst out into song as they sang his name. It wasn’t just about how fully committed the sliding block was but that it was one more moment of an incredible debut which was about to get even better because a handful of minutes later and Jacquet was wheeling away from Como’s goal in celebration of his first goal as a Red. Interestly it was Virgil who made the quick thinking pass out wide to Cody Gakpo who crossed the ball low into the space in front of goal for Jeremy to put into the net after remaining ready for such a play to unfold.
The overwhelming consensus from pundits and supporters was that they may have witnessed the best debut performance from a Liverpool player. Yes it was only 45 minutes but bearing in mind that Jacquet had not played since 7th February it was an exceptional display and has left us all wanting to see a lot more of him this season and many more to come.
Ronald Araujo
For some reason, that this writer cannot grasp, the loan move for 27 years old Araujo was received with fairly negative responses from some supporters who were also vocalizing their dismay at the fact FSG hadn’t signed a new center back or right back. Both those positions are ones that Araujo has played in his career and who was recently Barcelona’s captain and a Uruguayan National team mainstay.
One advantage Jacquet had over Arajuo is the time spent around the squad and training which meant that Ronald had to learn the shape and positioning of his team mates almost as he played. That’s not an easy ask yet Araujo did exceptional well and even could be seen in moments gesturing to other Liverpool players with instructions on positioning and at the same time working fairly seamlessly with Virgil and Alisson Becker as the defensive core.
Araujo looks to be a very positive and aggressive center back and was very willing to shut down a play in the middle of the pitch by quickly pressing an opponent before they had time to even look up and turn to face our goal. This could also be something smart opposing players will try and use against us by falling over for a free-kick or quickly passing so another player can attempt to exploit any space Araujo being so far up the pitch could leave. This writer is in favor of this aggressive pressing to create turnovers high up the pitch and with a little more training together I am sure players will know to cover or be prepared.
Araujo loves a tackle and he is built for them with his powerful physical presence and that extra South American grit which adds the edge sometimes needed and as Liverpool supporters we have enjoyed that from former players such as Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez (not so much Sebastian Coates but I blame the injuries and Brendan Rodgers). The one area that needs improving is his fitness as it seemed he was looking a little winded before his debut was up but that is also to be normal as he too hasn’t played a lot over the past season.
Closing comments
There was a lot to enjoy about both new signings with nothing of real note to feel concerned about and this was echoed by Alisson in his post match interview when asked about both the new signings.
Both of them played really, really well. Jeremy had a great first half, great on the ball, great defending as well, controlling the space in behind [and] in front of him as well. Great, great performance.
“Ronald as well had a really good game in the second half… it’s really good to have a strong centre-back to help the team, in depth as well. That’s what we need if we want to compete for the trophies this season – that’s what we want, that’s the mentality of Liverpool players.
When our number one keeper and hero on so many occasions says things like this then it’s to be taken as a very good sign. It’s safe to say there must be a lot of Liverpool supporters (and players) would are feeling a lot better with the knowing that the defense has some very talented and physically powerful players for the rapidly approaching 26/27 season and as a bonus we have another impressive young center back who should be returning soon hopefully in one Giovanni Leoni. I should also mention Joe Gomez who is unsurprisingly injured again but when fit he has the ability to fill in at right back as well center of defense.
