Crisis? What crisis?
Two weeks ago, it was probably fair to say Liverpool had a crisis in their defensive department and risked going into the new season incredibly undercooked.
Virgil van Dijk had not yet returned from an extended break. Joe Gomez had joined Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley in the injury room. Youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who was outstanding on the American tour, did not have a work permit to play official games.
A fortnight on, though, all seems well. Jacquet made his unofficial debut in a friendly against Italian overachievers Como at Anfield on Sunday and did not put a foot wrong on his first match since February 7 for former club Rennes.
Not just that – and we will return to the eye-catching Jacquet in due course – Liverpool have eased their defensive woes by signing Ronald Araujo from Barcelona on a season-long loan this week. The versatile Uruguay international also featured against Como.
Van Dijk is back and remains the most reliable member of the squad in terms of availability, while young Italian Leoni is beginning the final stages of his rehabilitation from a lengthy knee injury and hopes to be back by the end of September.
Jeremy Jacquet did not put a foot wrong on his unofficial debut for Liverpool in their friendly win over Como
The £60m signing’s performance makes him a contender to partner Virgil van Dijk on the opening day of the season
So just like that, Iraola’s biggest pre-season worry – over who would start the campaign at centre-back – is gone.
Jacquet, who moved to Liverpool from Rennes this summer after the clubs struck a £60million agreement in January, looks a real contender to partner Van Dijk when the Reds travel to Newcastle for their league opener.
On his first touch just seconds into this friendly, the 21-year-old confidently stepped past a couple of prying attackers. Calm and composed, just what Iraola demands of his defenders who must take risks in possession.
In his last touch before a planned substitution saw him replaced by Araujo, Jacquet scored to put Liverpool 2-0 up against Cesc Fabregas’s outfit, who will compete in the Champions League this term. Easier to miss but in the right place at the right time.
It is early days and we will not overreact to Jacquet’s fine performance. Given his tender age and lack of experience at this level, he will need time to settle in a new league, especially after missing half of last season with a shoulder problem.
But the first signs are extremely encouraging. Liverpool believe he and Leoni, the 19-year-old 6ft 5in physical specimen, are two of the brightest defenders in the game.
It fills fans with more confidence that a world without Van Dijk – maybe after this season – is not so bleak.
Barcola eclipse as new winger(s) needed
Now the worries at central defence have been duly allayed, attention turns to other problem positions such as the wide forwards.
Cody Gakpo scored Liverpool’s opener and assisted Jacquet’s goal but the left winger has been widely linked with a move to Tottenham.
The club say they have no plans of selling the Dutchman but that stance might be tested if they sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, who is the top target.
Transfer chiefs have been in talks with PSG over a move for Barcola who, alongside fellow target Ibrahim Mbaye, was not even on the substitutes’ bench for the French and European champions in their friendly on Sunday night.
It will be a big week in that regard, with the clock ticking on Liverpool finally replacing Mohamed Salah.
Transfer chiefs have been in talks over a move for Bradley Barcola, pictured, and Ibrahim Mbaye, who were not on the bench for PSG’s friendly on Sunday night
Alexander Isak is looking incredibly sharp in pre-season after a nightmare debut campaign
New signing Victor Munoz, who arrived from Osasuna this summer, looked the part and was the standout in a 0-0 draw in a training match at the AXA Training Centre earlier on Sunday before the official friendly at Anfield.
The Spaniard, who was part of the World Cup winners’ squad in the US despite not playing, also had a cameo in the later game and looks a handful. He is in a battle with Gakpo, teenager Rio Ngumoha to start against Newcastle next week.
We should also give a word to Lewis Koumas. The forward spent last year on loan at Hull City and was on the bench as the Tigers won the play-off final but has seriously caught Iraola’s eye this pre-season and could be given a chance – though clubs are circling for his signature.
Isak like a new signing
It is a cliche but Alexander Isak will be like a new signing for Liverpool.
The Swede only managed four goals and 22 appearances in a nightmare first season after his £125m controversial move from Newcastle. He looked out of shape when he arrived and then broke his fibula in December which all but ruined his campaign.
But Isak is looking incredibly sharp in pre-season after a positive World Cup under Graham Potter. He managed 83 minutes before being replaced by young striker Will Wright.
Isak could have opened the scoring early doors in this friendly but rattled the post. Nevertheless, he is looking fitter than he ever did during his first season.
With Salah’s goals no longer able to be relied upon, Isak may define whether this year is a success or not for Liverpool. There will be no better place to start than with a goal and win against his old employers Newcastle next week.
