Liverpool await news on Jeremy Jacquet after France absence

France have confirmed that Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet missed Monday’s Nations League match against Belgium because of an injury.

The 21-year-old was left out of the France squad for the game after suffering an adductor strain. He is expected to undergo medical tests when he returns to Liverpool, with the club awaiting further details on the problem.

Jacquet had started France’s previous two matches before being ruled out of the 4-1 victory over Belgium in the fourth round of the Nations League.

France coach Zinedine Zidane said he was pleased with the way his side responded during the match, particularly after improving in the second half.

“This is the football we like,” Zidane told reporters after the game. “There were difficulties, but they are part of the game and part of the type of matches you can play.”

France were unable to make the most of their opportunities before the interval but produced a stronger display after the break to secure a convincing win.

“It is good to correct mistakes, and that is what we did in an exceptional second half,” Zidane said. “We lacked the final touch during the first half, then we turned the match around and it was good.”

The manager also praised the impact of his substitutes, saying their quality had given France the ability to change the game.

“My message to the substitutes? We knew we were capable of changing the match because they have great quality,” he said. “It was a complete game that we played, and everyone was good during these 15 days.”

Zidane identified France’s presence in the penalty area as an area that still needs improvement. He said the team had not shown enough movement into the box apart from towards the end of the match against Belgium.

“You need to improve your presence inside the penalty area,” he said. “We lacked that in all the matches except the end of the game against Belgium. We must get into the box when there are runs from the wings or crosses, and that will come gradually.”

Zidane also said he had been impressed by the attitude of the squad during his first period working with the players.

“I was surprised during the first camp by the mentality of all the players, and I was happy to spend these days with them,” he said.

He added that the squad had accepted his selection rotation, with players who were substituted showing support for those who replaced them and scored.

“Everyone accepted it, and that is what distinguishes this group,” Zidane said. “Even the players who were substituted were happy for their team-mates who came on and scored. I planned things so that everyone would have an opportunity.”