The encouraging part for Liverpool is that Jacquet appears close. The 21-year-old has been managing a minor knee issue, and the club seem to have taken a cautious route after an interrupted spell that has already delayed his first appearance.
Van Dijk was careful not to overstate it, but his message was upbeat. “I'm not a doctor, so I don't know exactly the situation, but I have a feeling this week he could be back on the pitch, and hopefully as soon as possible.”
That matters because Jacquet is not simply returning from a small setback. He is also trying to rebuild rhythm after a long absence, having missed the final stretch of last season with a shoulder problem and gone without match action since the winter.
This friendly also arrives at an important moment for Liverpool’s centre-back plans. Other reports suggest Ronald Araujo has arrived on loan, adding another senior option in a position that has needed attention.
That leaves Jacquet in an interesting spot. He may not be thrown straight into a starting role, especially after such a stop-start build-up, but the bigger point is that Liverpool finally seem to be getting closer to a full picture at the back.
Against a Como side coached by Cesc Fabregas, Liverpool should get a decent examination without the pressure of points. For Jacquet, even a place in the squad would feel significant; for Van Dijk and the staff, it is another chance to settle partnerships and sharpen roles.
By full-time, the main question may not be the scoreline but whether Jacquet has taken his first real step into Liverpool’s season. With the league opener looming, that is the storyline to watch.