Jeremy Jacquet fitness 2026: Major Liverpool boost

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed that defender Jeremy Jacquet is fit and available for selection ahead of the Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. The 21-year-old returned to first-team training on Thursday after a hamstring issue sustained while on international duty with France.

Jacquet fitness

Iraola spoke at a pre-match press conference about Jacquet’s recovery, noting that the Frenchman had trained well since his injury setback. Jacquet had been ruled out of France’s second fixture against Belgium after the French Football Federation reported a minor strain to his left hamstring, prompting concerns about his availability for the upcoming league leaders.

“Obviously he has done well. Firstly he is a good player, you’ve seen clips but if you don’t see him every day you can’t appreciate what he has. I am happy for him personally, debut with France, that is always tough. He played well, he should be happy but has a long way to go. He is fit and ready to go. He will be fine, we need to train tomorrow,” Iraola said, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Availability and tactical impact

Jacquet’s return provides a timely boost for Liverpool, who will be without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo for the City fixture. With those attacking options unavailable, maintaining defensive solidity becomes even more important; Jacquet has been forming a growing central partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk since his summer move to Merseyside.

Having Jacquet back in contention helps preserve Iraola’s preferred defensive structure and gives the manager a chance to field his first-choice centre-back pairing against one of Europe’s most potent attacks. While one final training session remains before kick-off, Iraola’s remarks strongly suggest the club expects Jacquet to be available for selection.

Context and background

Jacquet, 21, earned his France debut during the recent international window, underscoring the rapid progress he’s made since joining Liverpool in the summer. The left-hamstring concern emerged after the French Football Federation confirmed a minor strain, leading to his absence for France’s second fixture against Belgium.

That setback raised questions among supporters and analysts because Jacquet has quickly become a key figure in Liverpool’s defense. His burgeoning partnership with Van Dijk has provided the Reds with a reliable foundation to build from in the Premier League, and his presence has allowed Iraola to plan tactically with greater defensive certainty.

Why this matters for Liverpool

Beyond the immediate matchday considerations, Jacquet’s fitness carries broader significance for Liverpool’s early domestic form. The club aims to maintain an unbeaten start to the campaign at Anfield, and having multiple defensive options available will shape how Iraola navigates the enforced forward absences.

If selected, Jacquet would resume the central defensive pairing that has underpinned Liverpool’s performances this season. That continuity is valuable when preparing to face City’s varied attacking threats and could influence set-piece duties and defensive rotations during the match.

What happens next

Liverpool will conduct a final training session ahead of naming their squad and starting XI for the Anfield showdown. If Jacquet passes the late checks, he is expected to feature in the matchday squad and potentially partner Van Dijk in central defense. Iraola’s public remarks have increased optimism that the hamstring issue will not develop into a longer-term problem.

Fans should await the club’s official lineup announcements on matchday for definitive confirmation of the team. With Jacquet available, Liverpool head into the high-profile clash against Manchester City with their established defensive options intact, despite the absence of Isak and Gakpo.

Source: Original report