Liverpool's significant summer investment has encountered an early setback as new signing Jeremy Jacquet has suffered what is described as a 'serious' shoulder injury. The 20-year-old French defender, who joined the Reds in a deal worth up to £60 million, sustained the knock while playing for his former club Rennes.
Injury Occurs During Ligue 1 Clash
The incident occurred during the second half of Rennes' 3-1 away defeat to Lens on Saturday evening. Jacquet landed awkwardly following a challenge, immediately showing clear signs of distress. He required assistance from a member of the Rennes backroom staff to leave the pitch and was visibly in pain as he made his way down the tunnel.
Post-match, Rennes head coach Habib Beye confirmed the severity of the situation, stating, 'For Jeremy, it's his shoulder, and for Abdelhamid [Ait Boudlal] it's muscular. We'll have time to see, but it's definitely quite serious for both of them.' This assessment raises immediate concerns for Liverpool, who had secured Jacquet's signature ahead of their Premier League rivals.
Liverpool's Major Acquisition
Liverpool finalised the transfer for Jacquet on July 1, beating Chelsea to secure the highly-rated France Under-21 international. The deal was structured as £55 million upfront with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons, reflecting the club's substantial belief in his talent. Jacquet signed a five-year contract at Anfield, which includes an option for a further twelve-month extension.
Speaking about the acquisition, Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his delight, saying, 'Very pleasing, of course. He's a very big talent and maybe even more than a talent, but we speak about talent because of his age. We weren't the only one interested in him. It's another big compliment to the people working really hard to sign players because we were able to sign such a big talent.'
Implications for the Season Ahead
This injury represents a significant blow for Liverpool's defensive planning. The precise timeline for Jacquet's recovery remains unclear, but the 'serious' nature of the shoulder problem suggests he could face a prolonged period on the sidelines. This development will force the club's medical and coaching staff to reassess their options ahead of the new campaign.
The timing is particularly unfortunate given the excitement surrounding his arrival and the competitive nature of the transfer. Supporters and pundits alike will now await further medical updates to understand the full extent of the damage and the potential impact on Liverpool's squad depth and tactical preparations.
