Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola faces a depleted squad at the start of pre-season, creating opportunities for fringe players and new signings to stake their claim. With several senior players absent due to international commitments and recovery, two individuals stand out as potential beneficiaries: defender Jeremy Jacquet and midfielder Stefan Bajcetic.
Centre-Back Vacancy Opens Door for Jacquet
The Reds are particularly thin at centre-back after Ibrahima Konate joined Real Madrid at the end of his contract. Virgil van Dijk remains the only senior centre-half, but the captain will be on holiday regardless of the Netherlands' World Cup progress. Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained last year, leaving a clear path for Jacquet.
Signed for £60 million from Rennes, the 21-year-old Frenchman underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year, ending his campaign early. Despite the price tag, expecting him to be the finished article immediately might be unrealistic. However, with Van Dijk absent and Leoni convalescing, the pre-season tour to Chicago on July 20 offers Jacquet a prime chance to demonstrate his potential. The club believes they have secured the best young defender in France by beating Chelsea to his signature.
Bajcetic Aims for Comeback After Injury Woes
Stefan Bajcetic has endured a miserable spell due to injuries, not starting a Premier League match in over three years. Now 21, he spent last season sidelined after major hamstring surgery that cut short a loan at Las Palmas, following a disappointing stint at Red Bull Salzburg. Bajcetic posted on social media earlier this month, captioning photos at the AXA Training Centre with “back on track,” as he follows an individual programme ahead of pre-season.
Since March 2023, he has played only 97 minutes for Liverpool and started just six Premier League games, only two in a defensive midfield role. Iraola’s preference for two deeper central midfielders could create openings during pre-season. For Bajcetic, the primary goal is to get back on the pitch and remind himself of the promise he showed as a 17-year-old.
Pre-Season Context and Opportunities
With the World Cup approaching its latter stages, Liverpool’s return to the AXA Training Centre is still nearly three weeks away. This period allows players not involved in North America to rest and reset. The squad will be missing several senior members due to international tournaments, providing a window for fringe players, youngsters, and new signings to impress Iraola, who replaced the sacked Arne Slot after a disappointing title defence. Iraola led Bournemouth to sixth place and European qualification for the first time.
As Paul Gorst notes, the pre-season programme is a big chance for Jacquet to show what he is all about and prove he can become the next first-choice partner for Van Dijk. Ian Doyle adds that for Bajcetic, the chief aim will be to get back on the pitch and remind himself why he was so celebrated on his breakthrough.
