Liverpool Defensive Concerns Ahead of Como Test
Liverpool head into their final pre-season double-header of the summer with more questions than answers at centre-back and a growing sense of unease over Jeremy Jacquet’s fitness.
Andoni Iraola, preparing for his first Premier League campaign in charge at Anfield, is already feeling the strain of a stretched squad in key areas. At the heart of defence, it has become acute. For a spell, Virgil van Dijk stood as the only fully fit senior centre-back available.
Jacquet race against time
Jacquet, the £60million signing from Rennes, is at the centre of it all. The French defender has been nursing an unspecified issue that kept him out of the recent 3-2 defeat to Monaco. It comes on the back of a shoulder problem that cut short his previous season and has delayed his first appearance in a Liverpool shirt this summer.
He is back in full team training ahead of Como’s visit, a welcome sight for Iraola and his staff. But Liverpool’s new head coach is taking no chances. Jacquet may be close, yet not guaranteed, and that uncertainty has already forced action.
The club moved to bring in Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, a significant stop-gap to shore up a suddenly fragile department.
Injuries pile up at the back
The problems do not stop there. Giovanni Leoni is still working his way back from the ACL injury he suffered on his debut in the Carabao Cup this time last year. Joe Gomez, another key option, limped off during the 4-2 win over Sunderland with a muscle issue that is expected to rule him out of the start of the season. He was replaced that day by Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Those setbacks have opened the door for the club’s younger defenders. Newly-signed prospects Ndukwe and Talla Ndiaye have both seen minutes in pre-season, as has Luke Chambers, as Iraola leans on youth to plug gaps that were meant to be filled by experience.
Compounding the headache is the departure of Ibrahima Konate. The France international left on a free transfer at the end of his contract and has since joined Real Madrid, removing another pillar from a back line that once looked well-stocked.
Midfield knocks and World Cup fatigue
The injury list stretches into midfield. Curtis Jones has been dealing with a hip problem amid links with Inter Milan. He missed the Monaco defeat but has now returned to training, giving Iraola at least a glimmer of relief in the middle of the pitch.
There is also a watchful eye on World Cup duo Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz. Both are back with the squad after their countries’ runs to the final, but Liverpool will monitor their fitness and conditioning carefully before loading them with heavy minutes.
Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are longer-term concerns. Bradley is sidelined with a knee issue, while Ekitike faces an extended spell out with an Achilles injury. Neither will be involved when Como arrive at Anfield.
Van Dijk back, but questions remain
Among the gloom, there are positives. Van Dijk returned to action against Monaco, as did first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, restoring some authority and calm to the spine of the side.
The question now is how Iraola uses his resources on Sunday. Liverpool face Como twice at Anfield – first behind closed doors at 11.30am BST, then in a ticketed friendly at 6pm BST on August 16, 2026. The Spaniard must decide whether to roll out what he believes is his strongest available XI, or continue to mix senior figures with the next wave of academy and recent youth signings.
What he lacks in experienced backup, he makes up for in eager talent. The predicted line-up suggests intent:
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Ngumouha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Doubts: Jacquet, Jones, Mac Allister, Munoz.
Injured: Bradley, Leoni, Ekitike, Gomez, Danns.
Venue: Anfield.
Two friendlies, one day, and a thin defensive core. For Iraola, the final whistle against Como will not just mark the end of pre-season – it will reveal whether Liverpool are walking into the new campaign armed, or exposed.
