Jeremy Jacquet was the star as Liverpool enjoyed a confidence-boosting 2-0 win over Como in their final pre-season friendly at Anfield. The 21-year-old defender was making his debut for the club after signing from Rennes in February and marked the occasion by scoring the second goal just before half-time to double the lead for Andoni Iraola's side after Cody Gakpo had fired in the opener. Gakpo set up Jacquet for his tap-in which proved to be the final act by the French youngster as he made way for fellow new arrival Ronald Araujo at half-time.
The tempo dropped and that suited Como who played more of the football in the second half. Liverpool had contrived to lose a two-goal lead against Monaco last week but there was no repeat - Ryan Gravenberch even hitting the crossbar late on. As well as Gakpo and Jacquet, Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha were among those to impress for Iraola's side.
There are others with work to do. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz both scored against Monaco, but the former Newcastle striker faded here after a striking a post early on, while the German playmaker flattered to deceive. The real stuff begins next Sunday at St James' Park. 8 - POST!
Isak strikes a bouncing ball against the foot of the far post 23 - GOAL! Frimpong brilliantly finds Gakpo to fire Liverpool ahead 44 - GOAL! Gakpo lays the ball across for Jacquet to tap it home 58 - CLOSE!
Rodriguez fires a shot into the side-netting for Como 85 - CLOSE! Diao skims the Liverpool crossbar on the counter-attack 89 - BAR! Szoboszlai works it to Gravenberch but he hits the bar Jacquet's name was read out last when the teams were announced as Anfield gave him a special welcome and the young defender responded with a standout performance.
The Frenchman certainly pressed his claims for a start against Newcastle next week. The first cheers for Jacquet came within 30 seconds as a result of a couple of purposeful passes that indicated his willingness to add some drive to a Liverpool backline that was guilty of being a little bit too sluggish on the ball under Arne Slot last term. And the crowd were chanting his name a quarter of an hour in when he produced a strong challenge right in front of the Kop before doing well to hold off his man in the follow-up tussle for possession.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
