Jeremy Jacquet Impresses Early After £60m Liverpool Move
Liverpool invested £60 million in Jeremy Jacquet despite some risks due to his limited senior experience and recent injuries. After just seven appearances, he is already showing why the club made that commitment.
Overcoming Early Physical Challenges
Jacquet's arrival came after a tough physical spell, dealing with a shoulder injury and a minor knee issue that kept him sidelined for 190 days until Liverpool's last pre-season match against Como. At 21 years old and with only 57 senior games behind him, patience seemed necessary.
Yet, Jacquet has quickly adapted and looked confident under manager Andoni Iraola.
Fitting Into Iraola's System
During Liverpool's 1-0 win at Bournemouth, Jacquet displayed his key strengths. He intercepted close to his penalty area, pushed forward to link play with Bradley Barcola and Alexander Isak, then repeated similar defensive actions moments later, creating chances for his team.
His eagerness to challenge attackers fits perfectly with Iraola’s tactics, which require centre-backs to step out aggressively and keep the team compact, allowing high pressing further up the pitch.
- Duel success rate in Premier League: 76.3%
- Aerial duel success rate: 76.9%
Among defenders with more than 300 minutes played, only Everton's James Tarkowski has a better duel success rate.
Van Dijk Advises Patience
"He has had an excellent start, but we are only in September," said Virgil van Dijk after the Bournemouth game. "I want him to keep working and learning. There is obviously a lot of praise, and rightly so, but I know how it works when you play a game that doesn’t meet the standards you have set. So let’s just stay calm and keep working."
Manager Iraola also noted Jacquet's progress physically, mentioning early fatigue and cramping in initial matches but seeing improvement as the season progressed.
Passing and Playmaking Strengths
One of Jacquet’s most intriguing traits is his ability to turn defensive plays into attacking moves. This was something Liverpool occasionally lacked with Ibrahima Konate. Jacquet has completed 57 passes into the final third, ranking third among Premier League defenders, and recorded 76 line-breaking passes, the sixth highest.
This blend of physicality, anticipation, and passing ability earned him a call-up to France’s senior squad by Zinedine Zidane.
Promising Signs for Liverpool's Defense
While no one expects a 21-year-old centre-back to be fully developed so early, Liverpool needed Jacquet to step up quickly after Konate left for Real Madrid. Instead of merely coping, he has impressed considerably.
Watching Jacquet feels exciting because he shows qualities usually seen after years of experience. His performance at Bournemouth was notable: defending confidently while protecting a narrow lead and looking forward immediately upon regaining possession.
His ability to break lines with precise passing adds unpredictability to Liverpool’s buildup, complementing Van Dijk’s range and making it harder for opponents to isolate one defender.
The partnership between Jacquet and right-back Ronald Araujo is also promising. With Araujo starting, Liverpool has kept three consecutive Premier League clean sheets, limiting Ipswich, Fulham, and Bournemouth to expected goals (xG) below 0.80 each.
Most importantly, fans' worries about Liverpool's centre-back situation have eased considerably. Upcoming matches against Manchester City, Brentford, Brighton, and Arsenal will test Jacquet further, but for now, Liverpool’s £60m bet appears justified. Jacquet has begun his tenure like a player ready to claim this role.
