Liverpool’s pre-season plans could take a hit as £60m new signing faces race to be fit

Mar 8, 2026 - 13:30

Jeremy Jacquet faces a race against time to be available for Liverpool’s pre-season preparations.

In February, the Reds confirmed that Jacquet will move to Anfield at the end of the season after the Premier League side agreed a £60million fee to land the promising defender.

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 7: Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes and teammates celebrate the victory following the Ligue 1 McDonald's football match between Paris FC and Stade Rennais FC (Rennes) at Stade Jean Bouin on November 7, 2025 in Paris, France — Jacquet was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in January before Liverpool swooped for the centre-back

Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for the 20-year-old in the January window.

However, while the Blues were able to agree personal terms with the young centre-back, Chelsea were unable to negotiate a fee for the defender.

As a result, the west London side missed out on one of their top defensive targets after Liverpool stole a march on the rivals in the race to land Jacquet.

Liverpool, meanwhile, were labelled ‘suckers’ by former French forward Christophe Dugarry for spending big on his compatriot.

Jacq it in

Less than a week after Liverpool confirmed Jacquet’s signing, the youngster suffered a serious shoulder injury in the 69th minute of a 3-1 loss to Lens.

Jacquet underwent surgery to repair the damage last week and, according to Rennes head coach Franck Haise, he is unlikely to play again this season.

“He’ll be back sometime next week. After that, I don’t control the rehabilitation process,” Haise said.

“It’s probably unlikely we’ll see him again this season, but the important thing is that he recovers well and can have his rehabilitation in good conditions.”

While the news will come as a blow to the French side, Rennes have actually won their last three games without Jacquet.

Haise’s side now sit seventh in Ligue 1 following their 1-0 win over Toulouse last week and are out to claim a fourth league victory on the spin when they face Nice on Sunday.

Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet being escorted off the pitch after suffering a serious shoulder injury — Jacquet has undergone surgery to repair the damage following the shoulder injury he sustained against Lens and is unlikely to play again this season

Liverpool, meanwhile, are expected to closely monitor Jacquet’s recovery process amidst fears that he may not be fit in time for the club’s pre-season programme.

The Reds already have centre-back concerns ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Captain Virgil van Dijk will be in World Cup action with the Netherlands, while Giovanni Leoni, who joined from Parma last summer, has only made one appearance for the club having sustained an ACL injury on his debut in September.

Liverpool are also yet to reach an agreement with Ibrahima Konate over a new contract.

The France international’s current deal expires at the end of the season, and he has been linked with a high-profile switch to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Parisian powerhouse PSG.