Liverpool secure pre-season victory
Liverpool concluded their pre-season schedule with a 2-0 victory over Como at Anfield. Goals from Cody Gakpo and debutant Jeremy Jacquet secured the win for Andoni Iraola‘s side. The match served as the final friendly before the competitive season begins, with Liverpool set to face Newcastle at St James’ Park on August 23.
The first goal came from Gakpo, who found the net following a setup from Jeremie Frimpong. Jacquet, a 21-year-old defender who joined Liverpool from Rennes in February, then doubled the lead just before half-time, tapping in a cross from Gakpo. Jacquet’s goal marked a memorable debut for the young Frenchman, who was substituted at half-time for fellow new arrival Ronald Araujo.
The match saw several notable moments, including Alexander Isak striking the post early in the game. In the second half, Como had opportunities, with Rodriguez firing into the side-netting and Diao skimming the crossbar. Liverpool also had a late chance when Ryan Gravenberch hit the crossbar.
Jacquet’s impressive debut performance
Jeremy Jacquet made a significant impression during his debut at Anfield. His name received a special welcome when announced, and he quickly demonstrated his intent with purposeful passes in the opening seconds. The crowd responded by chanting his name after he executed a strong challenge in front of the Kop and maintained possession under pressure.
While his 45-minute performance was not without minor imperfections, including a missed challenge and a miskicked clearance, Jacquet quickly recovered with a crucial interception. His goal, a tap-in from Gakpo’s cross, capped off a strong first half. Jacquet is viewed as a long-term defensive solution for Liverpool, and his debut performance was seen as very encouraging. His display has reportedly strengthened his claim for a starting position in the upcoming match against Newcastle.
Head coach Andoni Iraola praised Jacquet’s performance, noting that both Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, who replaced him, played well. Iraola also highlighted Jeremie Frimpong’s strong performance, playing 90 minutes as a right-back and contributing both offensively and defensively.
Coach Iraola reflects on team performance
Following the 2-0 victory, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola shared his thoughts on the team’s performance. He expressed satisfaction with securing a clean sheet and winning the game, a feeling he noted the team needed before the start of the season. Iraola acknowledged that the first half was stronger than the second but commended the team for maintaining their organisation and composure to keep the clean sheet.
Iraola stated that the team showed improvement compared to their previous week’s performance, and he hopes for further improvement in the coming week. He noted that many players completed 90 minutes without cramps, indicating progress in fitness. Despite the improvements, Iraola stressed that the team, particularly in the second half, still needs to get better.
The coach emphasised the importance of commitment from every player in every action. He expressed happiness with the players’ attitude and their dedication in training, noting that they are adapting to new tactical instructions, especially regarding play without the ball. Iraola concluded by stating that while the team is not yet perfect and has areas to improve, he is pleased with their willingness to work together and believes they will reach their goals.
Earlier pre-season encounter with Como
Prior to the Anfield fixture, Liverpool and Como 1907 had an earlier pre-season match that ended in a goalless draw. This behind-closed-doors encounter took place at the AXA Training Centre and consisted of two 35-minute halves. Opportunities were limited in this initial game.
The Liverpool starting XI for this match included Alexis Mac Allister, making his first pre-season appearance after returning to club duties earlier in the week. Early chances included Victor Munoz setting up Trey Nyoni, whose header went wide. Como’s Assane Diao also had a significant opportunity but miscued his finish. In the second half, Munoz created a chance that Federico Chiesa met with a header, which was saved. Mac Allister was substituted after playing an hour, and the match concluded without either team scoring.
The Liverpool team for the earlier fixture featured players such as Mamardashvili, Endo, Tsimikas, Elliott, and Munoz, among others. The final pre-season match at Anfield concluded with Liverpool securing a 2-0 victory over Como.
Source: skysports.com