Liverpool’s defensive challenges have intensified ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League season as injuries to key centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Joe Gomez have raised questions over the team’s stability at the back. The club, preparing for its opening league match against Newcastle United on August 23, faces uncertainty in selecting defensive starters alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.

Jacquet, who joined Liverpool for £60 million from Rennes, has yet to make his debut after being sidelined since February due to a shoulder injury that ended his previous season early. The 21-year-old defender missed the entire preseason tour of the United States, and it remains unclear whether his current unavailability is related to that earlier injury or a new problem altogether. Given his youth and lack of recent playing time, expectations for an immediate impact have been tempered, though the situation leaves Liverpool thin in central defence.

Meanwhile, Joe Gomez, who was given a leadership role by captaining the team during a summer friendly against Sunderland, suffered a muscle injury just eight minutes into that match. This setback now rules him out for the start of the new season, removing another experienced centre-back from contention. The injury to Gomez underlines the growing demand for reinforcement in that position, especially after the club invested heavily in Jacquet over the summer.

Adding to Liverpool’s summer difficulties, midfielder Curtis Jones has also experienced a turbulent period. The young player’s frustration was publicly visible when he reacted negatively to captaincy decisions during a pre-season friendly, following which there have been questions about his focus and form. Jones, linked with a potential move to Inter Milan for approximately £30 million, has seen his future at Liverpool cast into doubt amid these events. It is yet to be decided whether he will remain with the club.

Overall, Liverpool enter the new season facing significant challenges in both defensive personnel and squad harmony. The injuries to Jacquet and Gomez weaken the options available to the coaching staff, while off-field developments concerning players like Jones add further complexity. How the club addresses these issues may prove crucial as they look to compete domestically and in European competitions.