Liverpool learn alarming Jeremy Jacquet injury update after star forced off screaming in pain

Jeremy Jacquet was forced off injured in Rennes' 3-1 defeat to Lens on Saturday with a shoulder problem, just five days after completing his medical ahead of a £60m summer move to Liverpool

Rennes manager Habib Beye has worryingly confirmed that Jeremy Jacquet sustained a "serious" injury during the club's 3-1 defeat to Lens on Saturday. The defender, who earlier this week completed a £60million transfer switch to Liverpool ahead of the summer, was withdrawn in the 69th minute after damaging his left shoulder.

Jacquet appeared to be in considerable discomfort and was substituted by Mahamadou Nagida, as he went to ground screaming with the initial pain from the incident. The young star had to cradle his left arm and required assistance from a Rennes physio to leave the field.

In a cruel twist of fate, the setback came merely five days after he passed his Liverpool medical ahead of his summer switch to Merseyside.

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Following Saturday's match, Beye commented: "For Jeremy, it's his shoulder, and for Abdelhamid [Ait Boudlal, the other Rennes player injured] it's muscular."

"We'll have time to see, but it's definitely quite serious for both of them," added former Newcastle United and Aston Villa defender added.

Whilst Liverpool will naturally be anxious about the potential long-term implications of the knock, it's Rennes who face the most pressing worries.

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Jacquet has become an indispensable figure in the squad, having sat out only two league fixtures this campaign, both through suspension.

The 20-year-old had emphasised his commitment to helping Rennes conclude the season on a high note, in a statement issued following confirmation of his Liverpool move.

"I am honoured to sign for Liverpool, one of the greatest football institutions in the world," Jacquet said. "It was also very important for me to finish my time in red and black on a high, at my boyhood club, the club of my heart.

"I'm approaching this second half of the season with the desire to experience some great moments with my team-mates and the fans."

Liverpool beat rivals Chelsea, along with a whole host of other clubs, to land Jacquet ahead of the summer transfer window.

Saturday's outcome has dealt a setback to Rennes' ambitions of qualifying for European competition, whilst Lens leapfrogged Paris Saint-Germain to claim top spot with another three-point haul.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be hoping for encouraging news regarding Jacquet in the days ahead.

However, it appears the injury curse that has plagued the Reds' defensive line this season is even affecting prospective squad members.

At present, just four of Arne Slot's eight defenders are available for selection ahead of this weekend's encounter with Manchester City.

Joe Gomez could return in time to face Pep Guardiola's side at Anfield, but Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong will be unavailable due to injury.

That has forced the Liverpool boss into some creative solutions within his squad, but with rivals elsewhere picking up wins over the weekend, it's imperative that the Reds keep up the pace in the race for Champions League qualification.

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