Liverpool's Latest Recruit Struck Down by 'Serious' Injury Just Days After Signing
Liverpool's incoming defender Jérémy Jacquet sustained a "severe" injury during Rennes' 3–1 loss to Lens on Saturday, according to manager Habib Beye's post-game comments.
The 20-year-old defender appeared to be in significant pain after falling on his shoulder, requiring immediate substitution with assistance from medical staff.
This setback for Jacquet occurs just days after Liverpool announced his summer transfer to Anfield in a deal valued at £60 million—with £55 million guaranteed and an additional £5 million in performance-based bonuses.
How Will Jacquet's Injury Impact Liverpool?
How Will Jacquet's Injury Impact Liverpool?
Get well soon Jérémy Jacquet 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HIFDyiSiG0
In the immediate term, Jacquet's time away from the field won't significantly affect matters. However, there's a broader concern for Liverpool, who need him match-ready and gaining as much playing experience as possible.
Should Beye's concerns about a severe injury prove correct, Jacquet might face several months of rehabilitation. Usually, when players exit the field holding their shoulder in clear distress, they've experienced a dislocation. The key question becomes whether the shoulder can be properly repositioned or if surgical intervention is necessary to prevent future incidents.
Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham dealt with a persistent shoulder problem for nearly two years before opting for surgery. His recovery period lasted two months.
Liverpool will be hoping Jacquet's injury is less severe, enabling his swift return to action with Rennes.
Future Plans for Liverpool and Jacquet
Future Plans for Liverpool and Jacquet
Liverpool's primary concern, despite the substantial investment, isn't actually Jacquet's condition—it's achieving better results in the Premier League and Champions League. The improved form of both Manchester United and Chelsea has intensified pressure on Arne Slot's struggling team, currently sixth in the Premier League and trailing Chelsea by four points.
The Reds do possess a match in hand at present—a crucial encounter against Manchester City at Anfield—but need to deliver more reliable performances to remain competitive with the top five. This represents Slot's adjusted objective, having abandoned hopes of defending the Premier League crown in favor of securing Champions League qualification for next season.
The developing partnership between Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké offers encouragement for Liverpool, yet concerns persist regarding their defensive vulnerabilities and clean sheet struggles. Many attribute this to insufficient depth at center-back—a primary motivation behind Jacquet's acquisition—though it's undeniable that Ibrahima Konaté, potentially departing on a free transfer this summer, and Virgil van Dijk have underperformed significantly.
Regarding Jacquet, he'll aim to return to action quickly while helping Rennes escape their current Ligue 1 struggles. The loss to Lens, who climbed above Paris Saint-Germain to claim the league summit, marked their third consecutive defeat, although they can find solace in Lille's equally poor recent form.
Rennes occupy sixth place despite their terrible streak, sitting two points behind fifth-placed Lille. Presently, Beye's team would qualify for next season's Conference League preliminary round, but Strasbourg and Toulouse are closing in and also harbor ambitions of surpassing Lille—achieving this would secure direct entry to the 2026–27 Europa League group stage.