Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet was left out of the France squad on Monday evening after picking up a hamstring strain.
Jacquet was rested by Zinedine Zidane for his side’s Nations League clash with Belgium, with Leny Yoro taking his place.
The 21-year-old centre-back had started the last two games for his country, playing a full 90 minutes just three days ago.
However, the French Football Federetaion have confirmed that he missed out after suffering a strain to his left hamstring.
Manchester United‘s Yoro was then drafted in to make his international debut as Zidane shuffled his back line.
The issue will be a huge concern for Liverpool, with a crunch Premier League clash against Manchester City coming up on Sunday, as City play their first match since being found guilty of all charges for breaching financial rules from 2009 to 2018.
Jacquet has been a mainstay in Andoni Iraola‘s defence, becoming an instant key player next to Virgil van Dijk this season.
The Reds have also suffered injury setbacks with key forwards Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak returning early from Netherlands and Sweden duty respectively.
A disappointing end to a first call-up
This was Jacquet’s first camp with the French senior side, having been called up by Zidane for his impressive showings.
Liverpool boss Iraola was delighted for his young star when speaking about his achievement, saying last month: “I’m happy for him because he’s also received his first international call-up.
“He’s going with France and that is a big national team and I know that he is happy. He’s still very young, he is adapting really well to the Premier League.”
But after making two appearances, his hamstring issue has forced him to miss out on picking up a third cap.
Who could replace Jacquet for Liverpool?
Jacquet will return to Liverpool in the coming days ahead of the return of Premier League football this weekend.
Whether he will be fit to play against Man City is still unknown though, leaving the Reds sweating over his involvement.
If he does miss out, Joe Gomez could come in to replace him.
Iraola will be very disappointed if he does have to change his centre-backs after discussing Jacquet’s improved fitness last month.
He said after Liverpool’s last fixture before the international break: “I think in the first games, physically he was feeling the change of rhythm, he was finishing with cramps, finishing really tired and we had to sub him.
“Today has been a step forward. He looked solid until the end and I think he’s finished physically also in a good place.
“I hope he can continue this development.”
But could a hamstring issue picked up right at the end of the break end up hampering that development?