A hamstring problem hours before kick-off is the last thing Liverpool wanted to read about on international duty. Jeremy Jacquet was dropped from France's starting line-up for the Nations League match against Belgium at the Stade de France on Monday, after feeling tightness in his left hamstring. France won 1-0, and Leny Yoro of Manchester United made his senior international debut in the match.
What happened with Jacquet
The report describes the decision as purely precautionary. France did not want to take any risk that might aggravate the problem, which is a sensible stance with a Premier League club waiting on the other side of the break. Liverpool will now be watching closely to see how the defender responds over the next few days.
Yoro gets his moment
There is a neat piece of symmetry in the night. While a Liverpool centre-back was pulled from the squad, a Manchester United defender took his first senior cap for France. Belgium kept Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia in their starting line-up, so the Premier League had a quiet presence on both sides.
Why it matters at Anfield
Jacquet has made seven appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this season, and he has partnered Virgil van Dijk at the back. That makes the timing awkward. Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. City lead the Premier League with 15 points from five matches, while Liverpool sit sixth on nine.
Nothing in the report suggests a lengthy absence, and the word precautionary carries a lot of weight here. Still, hamstring tightness has a habit of turning into something more annoying. If Jacquet is not fully fit by Sunday, Liverpool will need another partner for van Dijk against the league leaders, and that is a hard assignment for anyone.
Match facts: France 1-0 Belgium, UEFA Nations League A, Stade de France, Monday 5 October 2026. Jacquet: seven appearances for Liverpool in all competitions. Liverpool v Manchester City at Anfield, Sunday. Source: Goal.com, 5 October 2026.
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