Liverpool worry grows as £60m January recruit Jeremy Jacquet hit by serious injury setback
Liverpool’s January recruit Jeremy Jacquet could already have played his last match for Stade Rennais after sustaining a serious shoulder injury in Saturday’s Ligue 1 defeat to RC Lens.
Reports from L’Équipe indicate the 20-year-old defender is likely to require surgery, a development that would bring his season in France to an early close and potentially slow his transition to Merseyside.
Jacquet facing season-ending setback
The injury occurred in the 69th minute of Rennes’ 3-1 loss, when Jacquet landed awkwardly following a challenge. He was clearly in pain, immediately alerting the bench before being assisted off the pitch.
Rennes head coach Habib Beye later confirmed the extent of the issue, labelling the injury “serious.” Although there were initial hopes that rest might be sufficient, the latest assessment suggests surgery is the most realistic route to ensure a full recovery.
Should Jacquet go under the knife, he would be ruled out for several months, effectively ending his campaign with his boyhood club. It is a cruel setback for the young defender, who had been eager to sign off his time in red and black positively before officially joining Liverpool on July 1.
Liverpool to track his rehabilitation closely
Liverpool, who secured Jacquet in a £60 million deal on the winter deadline day, will remain in close communication with Rennes’ medical team throughout his recovery.
While the injury does not jeopardise the transfer, it complicates Arne Slot’s defensive plans. The Reds have already endured lengthy absences this season for Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley.
Anfield chiefs are expected to take a cautious approach, placing Jacquet’s long-term wellbeing ahead of any rushed return. The focus will be on having him fully fit and ready for the start of Liverpool’s 2026/27 pre-season in July.
With Ibrahima Konaté’s future unclear and Virgil van Dijk approaching his 35th birthday, Jacquet is still viewed as a key piece of Liverpool’s long-term defensive rebuild, despite this temporary setback.
