Jeremy Jacquet Shines Early at Liverpool, Justifying £60m Investment

Liverpool paid £60 million for Jeremy Jacquet, fully aware that some projection was involved in the signing. Now, seven matches into his Liverpool career, he is starting to show why the club made such a commitment.

Jacquet joined Liverpool after overcoming physical setbacks, including a shoulder injury and a minor knee issue, which kept him sidelined for 190 days before his debut in a pre-season match against Como. At just 21 years old and with only 57 senior appearances under his belt, patience was expected from fans and staff alike.

Yet, Jacquet quickly adapted and has appeared right at home within Andoni Iraola's system.

Fitting Perfectly Into Iraola's Defensive Style

In Liverpool's 1-0 win at Bournemouth, Jacquet demonstrated his strengths clearly. He intercepted an attack close to his own goal, moved forward to release teammate Bradley Barcola, and then connected with Alexander Isak. Soon after, another interception led to another chance created. This eagerness to challenge attackers fits well with Iraola’s demands.

Iraola’s strategy requires centre-backs who step out aggressively to confront opponents, keeping the team compact and enabling a high press. Jacquet seems naturally suited to these responsibilities.

• Premier League duel success rate: 76.3%
• Aerial duel success rate: 76.9%

Only Everton's James Tarkowski surpasses Jacquet among defenders with over 300 minutes played.

Virgil van Dijk Offers Cautious Praise

"He has had an excellent start, but we are only in September," Van Dijk said after the Bournemouth game. "I want him to keep working and learning. There is a lot of praise, and rightly so, but I know how it feels when a game doesn’t meet your standards. So let’s stay calm and keep working."

Andoni Iraola also noted Jacquet’s physical progress: "He's still very young and adapting well to the Premier League. Early on, he struggled with the rhythm and finished games tired, sometimes cramping, which required substitutions. Today, though, he stayed solid until the end and finished physically strong."

Passing Skills Transform Liverpool's Build-Up Play

Jacquet stands out not just for his defensive work but also for what happens once he gains possession. The Athletic highlights his knack for turning defensive stops into attacking opportunities—a quality Liverpool found lacking in Ibrahima Konate.

• Passes into final third: 57 (third highest among Premier League defenders)
• Line-breaking passes: 76 (sixth highest)

This blend of physicality, anticipation, and progressive passing has earned him a spot in Zinedine Zidane's French senior squad.

Liverpool’s Future Looks Brighter With Jacquet

No one expects a 21-year-old centre-back to be fully polished in September. Yet, with Konate's move to Real Madrid, Liverpool needed Jacquet to advance swiftly—and he has done more than just survive.

Watching Jacquet play is genuinely exciting because he displays traits usually seen much later in a young defender's development. Against Bournemouth, while protecting a narrow lead, he defended assertively, carried himself with confidence, and importantly, looked ahead when Liverpool regained possession.

That last aspect could prove crucial. While Van Dijk offers range in passing, Jacquet adds another threat capable of breaking lines. Opponents can't simply direct play toward one centre-back expecting Liverpool’s build-up to become predictable. His significant number of passes into attacking areas confirms this is already shaping his game.

The partnership between Jacquet and Ronald Araujo is noteworthy too. Liverpool have kept three straight Premier League clean sheets with Araujo at right-back, limiting Ipswich, Fulham, and Bournemouth to under 0.80 expected goals in each match.

For fans, the most encouraging sign is how quickly worries about the centre-back position have faded. Tough tests lie ahead against Manchester City, Brentford, Brighton, and Arsenal after the international break. These fixtures will offer a clearer picture.

For now, Liverpool’s £60 million gamble on Jacquet looks increasingly sensible. He has begun like a defender determined to claim his place firmly.