Liverpool’s plans for defensive reinforcement have suffered an early blow after Rennes confirmed that Jérémy Jacquet is set to undergo surgery following a serious shoulder injury, raising fears that the young centre-back’s season may already be over.
The 20-year-old, who agreed a deadline-day move to Anfield at the end of the campaign, was forced off during Rennes’ 3-1 Ligue 1 defeat to Lens on Saturday, casting uncertainty over his short-term future and preparation ahead of his anticipated switch to the Premier League.
Jacquet, regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in France, picked up the injury in the second half and was replaced in the 69th minute.
Subsequent assessments have confirmed the extent of the problem, with reports indicating that surgery will be required to ensure a full recovery.
According to L’Equipe, the operation could effectively rule him out for the remainder of the season, a scenario that would be a significant setback for both Rennes and Liverpool.
The French club are bracing themselves for an extended absence, with even the most optimistic timeline suggesting several weeks on the sidelines.
Concerns have also been raised that complications during recovery could delay Jacquet’s return beyond the current campaign and into Liverpool’s pre-season preparations, potentially limiting his integration into Arne Slot’s squad.
Rennes head coach Habib Beye addressed the situation after the match but stopped short of offering a clear prognosis, acknowledging the seriousness of the issue while confirming that further evaluation was required.
“For Jeremy, it’s his shoulder, and for Abdelhamid it’s muscular. We’ll have time to see, but it’s definitely quite serious for both of them,” Beye said.
For Liverpool, the news adds to an already frustrating run of defensive misfortune. The Premier League champions moved quickly to secure Jacquet’s signature as part of their long-term rebuilding plans at the back, with Slot keen to address structural weaknesses in his squad.
However, the Dutchman has already seen summer arrival Giovanni Leoni ruled out for the entire season, compounding the sense of bad luck surrounding Liverpool’s recent recruitment.
While Jacquet is not expected to feature for the Reds until next season, Liverpool will be monitoring his recovery closely.
