Liverpool suffer unwanted injury setback as defender faces possible absence until start of next season

Liverpool have received disappointing injury news on Jeremy Jacquet just ahead of his summer arrival at Anfield. The Reds sealed a £60m deal for the promising centre-back in January, with the 20-year-old set to stay at Rennes until the end of the current campaign before joining Arne Slot’s squad for pre-season.

Tragically, the injury struck only days after the transfer was confirmed: Jacquet suffered a serious shoulder problem during a Ligue 1 match, which has now been deemed to require surgery this week. Liverpool have stayed in touch with Rennes about his care and recovery plan.

A Ligue 1-experienced doctor quoted by L’Equipe outlined a likely recovery period: around five months for a full return to competitive action involving contact, duels, and challenges (with four months possible under an aggressive rehab program and up to six months if progress is slower). In the most optimistic case, he’d be ready to link up with Liverpool right at the start of pre-season; in the worst, he might miss the opening weeks of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

This setback will make it tougher for the young defender to adapt quickly to his new club, teammates, and tactical demands after such a prolonged layoff.

Liverpool could face real defensive challenges at the beginning of next season if Jacquet’s comeback is delayed, especially with Ibrahima Konate’s contract expiring in June (and no new deal confirmed yet) and Giovanni Leoni still sidelined from his ACL injury until later in the autumn.

Hoping the operation goes smoothly and his rehab progresses quickly so Jacquet can launch his Liverpool career on a strong, healthy note—he has all the signs of becoming a major asset for the club.