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Liverpool could open the new season with the old guard and fresh talent standing together at center back, after summer acquisition Jérémy Jacquet confirmed he has made a full recovery from a lengthy shoulder injury.
Jacquet has now completed a £60 million ($79.7 million) move from Rennes that was arranged in advance back in February. The 20-year-old Frenchman effectively steps in for fellow countryman Ibrahima Konaté, who departed for Real Madrid on a free transfer, and joins a center-back unit captained by Virgil van Dijk.
Giovanni Leoni, who sustained an ACL injury just over nine months ago, has also been tipped to return in time for preseason—ahead of the originally projected 12-month timeline. Joe Gomez remains the only other recognized center back in the senior squad.
Any remaining concerns that Jacquet's shoulder—injured just five days after he agreed to become the second-most expensive defender in Liverpool's history—would carry over into preseason have been put to rest by the player himself.
"I feel much better and I will be 100% ready [for the start of preseason]," Jacquet told Liverpool's official website, adding, "I'm a little ahead of schedule.
"I was given the green light to begin a training program with the group [at Rennes], but it was a bit too late to integrate fully with the team. But with continued hard work I'll be completely fit before the [2026–27] season."
When Will Jérémy Jacquet Make his Liverpool Debut?
Liverpool are expected to commence preseason training around July 13, by which point Jacquet should be ready to hit the ground running. As he is not part of the French national team setup, there are no concerns about World Cup involvement pushing back his start date.
Most of the squad will be available from day one, while those who did participate in the World Cup—Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch—have already been knocked out. A mandatory three-week rest period follows, but it will have elapsed by the time Liverpool are set to face Sunderland in Nashville to launch their U.S. tour on July 25.
It is quite possible that the Sunderland fixture could serve as Jacquet's unofficial Liverpool debut.
After further matches against Wrexham and Leeds United on American soil, and home friendlies against Monaco and Como at Anfield, the Premier League season gets underway on August 23 with an away trip to Newcastle United.
Van Dijk will be sufficiently recovered from the World Cup by that point to have his starting place unquestioned. Jacquet, who celebrates his 21st birthday this month, could be viewed as the safer option compared to Leoni to partner the veteran Dutchman.
Liverpool's New Defense in 2026–27
This campaign will present a tremendous opportunity for Jacquet to develop under Van Dijk's guidance before he is ultimately called upon to succeed him, sooner rather than later. The Reds skipper turns 35 next week and has now entered the final year of the two-year deal he penned in 2024. This season is likely to be his last at Liverpool, and possibly even the final chapter of his entire playing career.
For the time being, this appears to be the most sensible partnership for new head coach Andoni Iraola to place his trust in.
At right back, Jeremie Frimpong is currently the only available option, given that Conor Bradley's return from injury is not expected until after the season has kicked off. On the left, Milos Kerkez's position is uncontested now that Andy Robertson has also been released.
Liverpool supporters may soon need to adjust to a new first-choice goalkeeper amid continued uncertainty surrounding Alisson's future and speculation over a summer exit—with Juventus the primary destination being mentioned. Giorgi Mamardashvili, signed precisely for this scenario, is ready and waiting for his opportunity.