Liverpool handed fresh injury concern as Jérémy Jacquet misses out for France
Every football fan believes that their team suffer more injuries than anyone else during any given international break. Well, perhaps Liverpool supporters have a serious claim to this unwanted accolade. Already in the last week or so, both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo have returned to AXA Training Centre having suffered injuries away with their countries.
Now, with less than a week until Manchester City's massive visit to Anfield, have the Reds suffered another concerning injury blow? On Monday evening, ahead of France's clash with neighbours Belgium at the Stade de France, Jérémy Jacquet was not even named among les Bleus' substitutes, which raised concerns.
The 21 year old made his international debut in Brussels a week ago, before also starting against Italy in Paris on Friday night. Considering Dayot Upamecano was sent off in the closing stages of that 1-1 draw, thereby suspended, the Liverpool defender was very much forecast to be in Zinédine Zidane's starting XI once again.
However, widespread reports note that Jacquet misses out due to a small injury; Manchester United's Leny Yoro debuts alongside Maxence Lacroix of Chelsea. It is being noted that the 21 year old "felt a strain in his left hamstring", so has not been risked as a precaution. Liverpool fans will be thankful that Zizou has taken the sensible option, but does this make him a doubt for Sunday?
Jérémy Jacquet would be a massive miss vs Manchester City
He may have only made seven appearances for Liverpool to date, but Jacquet has made himself indispensable. Despite barely featuring during pre-season, still recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent in February, he has hardly missed a beat.
The Frenchman has started all six Premier League and Champions League fixtures to date, named man of the match when Andoni Iraola's team were most recently in action, beating Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium. Crucially, Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk have formed a formidable partnership, so being forced to break that up against Manchester City would be a massive blow.
With Giovanni Leoni still unavailable and Joe Gomez only just back, Ronald Araújo may have to deputise. This is not ideal because, firstly, he is currently the first-choice right-back, very much having usurped Jeremie Frimpong in the pecking order. Meantime, the Uruguayan will be in action against India in Kolkata on Tuesday, flying for over 12 hours back to Merseyside afterwards too.
Everything suggests that there is no need to panic, Jacquet is still forecast to be available for this weekend's huge game, but this is an unwanted stress.
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