Liverpool’s summer transfer window has revealed a number of plot-lines, and while the start of the Andoni Iraola promises ambition, there has been plenty of reason for supporters to be concerned.
After all, Liverpool are less than a week away from the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season, and there are holes across the field. Liverpool need more depth and dynamism in attack, and their defensive options are somewhat short too.
However, during a 2-0 friendly win over Como on Sunday, the Reds enjoyed the emergence of Jeremy Jacquet, whose first-class performance alongside Virgil van Dijk will have allayed a number of fears across the Liverpool persuasion.
How Jeremy Jacquet impressed vs Como
Across 45 minutes of football, Jacquet dazzled on his unofficial Liverpool debut, scoring, but producing a fantastic all-round display, reading the game with a keen eye, overwhelming attackers with his physicality and catching the eye when on the ball.
It was the kind of consummate performance from the 20-year-old that illustrated why Liverpool have been hesitant to spend big bucks on another defender. In Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool have two of the most exciting defensive prospects in the world.
Ronald Araujo also caught the eye across the second half. The on-loan Barcelona star is imperfect, but plugs a hole for the coming campaign, and no mistake.
Liverpool might have paid £60m to bring Jacquet, future France superstar, to the club back in January, but this could prove a bargain down the line.
Jeremy Jacquet vs Como | |
|---|---|
Match Stats | # |
Minutes played | 45′ |
Goals + Assists | 1 + 0 |
Touches | 42 |
Shots (on target) | 1 (1) |
Accurate passes | 27/29 (93%) |
Succ. dribbles | 1/1 |
Ball recoveries | 3 |
Def. contributions | 6 |
Duels won | 7/10 |
Fouls | 2 |
Jacquet is the real deal, but Liverpool could certainly do with replicating the signing by landing another exciting up-and-comer before the end of the transfer window. There are still holes to fill.
Top target “would love to sign” for Liverpool
Liverpool are hopeful that their move for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Bradley Barcola is approaching the later stages. The 23-year-old has been removed from contention at Parc des Princes as the two parties work to reach a financial agreement.
Barcola isn’t the only one. As per Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are locked in talks to sign Ibrahim Mbaye too, with the 18-year-old winger a more natural pick to replace Mohamed Salah on the right wing. Liverpool would love to get a deal done, but not for £42m. Manchester United are also interested.
Romano said: “Liverpool spoke to the agent of the player, Jorge Mendes. They had a conversation. The player would love a move to Liverpool. But either the price changes or there could be also other possibilities. So there’s been a conversation but now it depends on the clubs.”
Mbaye is a young and versatile winger, and while he has only scored four senior goals for PSG, three of them came across just ten Ligue 1 starts last season, and his general play speaks toward his elite potential. Mbaye is fast and flashy, but not without substance.
An explosive and direct player, he has the mark of a future prolific goalscorer. The “incredibly talented” Senegal international, as praised by talent scout Jacek Kulig, could emulate compatriot Sadio Mane in blooming into a superstar at Liverpool, but right now, he could also outshine the likes of Jacquet to establish himself as Liverpool’s shrewdest summer signing.
The magnitude of his task cannot be understated. To step into Salah’s boots aged 18 is an unenviable job, but the fact Mbaye wants the move over safer bets with the likes of RB Leipzig speaks volumes toward his character and self-confidence.
Though the likes of Mbaye and Jacquet are not in direct competition at Anfield, and could instead flourish together, there’s a real sense that the PSG winger could emerge as one of the signings of the summer, should he find his shooting boots from the get-go.
Cheaper than his fellow Ligue 1 emergent, Mbaye could shape Iraola’s Liverpool frontline over the coming years.
Jacquet is a defender of limited experience, but there’s no question that he has enough talent to supply Liverpool’s defensive ranks for many years to come, a centrepiece and the perfect proverbial Van Dijk successor.
It just so happens that Mbaye is also mooted for a move to Merseyside, and like Jacquet, he’s got a lot to prove. Still, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough, and the Senegalese has proven over the past two years that he could cement himself as Liverpool’s superstar on the right wing.
