Headline: Liverpool Faces Defensive Challenges Ahead of Pre-Season Conclusion Against Como
Liverpool prepares to face Como in their final pre-season match, grappling with familiar defensive struggles. New manager Andoni Iraola steps into a challenging situation with a shortage of fit centre-backs and numerous unanswered questions.
The immediate concern revolves around Jeremy Jacquet, the summer signing from Rennes for £60 million. Jacquet has yet to make an appearance in pre-season due to an unspecified issue, following a previous shoulder injury that plagued his last season. Though he missed the recent 3-2 loss to Monaco, he has returned to team training, which is crucial for Liverpool as they seek both quantity and quality in their defensive lineup.
Iraola has emphasized the importance of not rushing Jacquet back, recognizing the long-term investment in strengthening the defense. To address the current shortfall, he has secured Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona. This move highlights the pressing shortage within the squad.
As it stands, Virgil van Dijk has been the only fully fit senior centre-back available. Joe Gomez suffered a muscle injury during the 4-2 victory over Sunderland, and his condition now casts doubt on his availability for the season opener. Giovanni Leoni continues to recover from an ACL injury sustained during his debut in the Carabao Cup last year.
Ibrahima Konate’s departure to Real Madrid after his contract expired further exacerbates the challenge. Liverpool’s defensive woes are evident just days before the commencement of the regular season.
Young prospects such as Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Talla Ndiaye have stepped up in pre-season, alongside Luke Chambers. However, Iraola may have preferred a different approach regarding academy involvement at this stage.
Beyond defensive concerns, Liverpool faces other fitness challenges. Curtis Jones has been managing a hip issue but returned to training after missing the match against Monaco. Both Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz are under observation following their World Cup commitments, raising questions about their conditioning ahead of the new season. Long-term absentees include Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike, along with Jayden Danns. Thankfully, Alisson and van Dijk returned to action against Monaco, providing some reassurance to the squad.
As Liverpool gears up for their match against Como, Iraola faces a pivotal decision: should he field a near-strongest lineup or continue rotating players across two matches? This choice is crucial as the Premier League opener approaches.
The anticipated Liverpool starting eleven appears to be a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Alisson in goal, with Jeremie Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez forming the defense. Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch will anchor the midfield, while Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, and Cody Gakpo will support Alexander Isak in attack. If Jacquet receives the green light to play, it should restore some stability. However, if not, Liverpool’s depth in central defense will remain a valid concern as pre-season draws to a close.
Liverpool go into their final pre-season fixtures against Como with a familiar problem, too few fit centre-backs and too many questions. Andoni Iraola has barely had time to settle into the job and already the defensive department looks stretched.
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The immediate issue is Jeremy Jacquet. The £60million summer signing from Rennes has yet to feature in pre-season after an unspecified problem, having already seen last season disrupted by a shoulder injury. He missed the 3-2 defeat to Monaco, but he is now back in team training. That matters, because right now Liverpool need bodies as much as they need quality.
Iraola is clearly not interested in taking reckless risks with a player signed to strengthen the back line for the long haul. He has already moved to cover the shortage by bringing Ronald Araujo in on loan from Barcelona. That tells you everything. Liverpool are short, and they know it.
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Jeremy Jacquet Fitness Leaves Liverpool Short at Centre-Back
Virgil van Dijk has effectively been the only fully fit senior centre-back available. Joe Gomez then limped off during the 4-2 win over Sunderland, with Ifeanyi Ndukwe stepping in, and that muscle issue now looks likely to disrupt the start of his season. Giovanni Leoni remains on the comeback trail after the ACL injury he suffered on debut in the Carabao Cup a year ago.
Add in Ibrahima Konate’s exit after his contract expired, followed by his move to Real Madrid, and the picture becomes plain enough. Liverpool are understocked in a key area days before the serious football starts.
Youngsters such as Ndukwe and Talla Ndiaye have already featured in pre-season, while Luke Chambers has also been used. Iraola may not have wanted this much academy involvement this early, but circumstances do not always ask permission.
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Andoni Iraola Balances Risk Before Como Friendlies
There are concerns beyond defence too. Curtis Jones has been managing a hip issue and returned to training after missing the Monaco game. Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz are also being monitored after their nations reached the World Cup final, leaving their conditioning under scrutiny.
Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike remain longer-term absentees with knee and Achilles injuries respectively, while Jayden Danns is also unavailable. The better news is that Alisson and van Dijk both returned against Monaco, restoring at least some senior stability.
The likely question for Iraola is simple, does he field something close to his strongest side on Sunday, or does he continue spreading the minutes across two games? With the Premier League opener looming, the answer matters.
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Predicted Liverpool XI for Como at Anfield
The working shape looks like a 4-2-3-1, with Alisson in goal, Jeremie Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk and Milos Kerkez across the back, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch in midfield, then Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo behind Alexander Isak.
If Jacquet is deemed ready, Liverpool at least regain some order. If not, the shortage remains real, and pre-season ends with the same concern it began with, depth in central defence.
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