Liverpool's New Signing Jeremy Jacquet Impresses Across the Board
Liverpool paid £60 million for Jeremy Jacquet, fully aware that some projection was involved in the signing. Now, seven matches into his Liverpool career, that gamble appears to be paying off.
According to Andy Jones of The Athletic, Jacquet joined Liverpool following a challenging period with injuries. A shoulder issue and a minor knee problem kept him sidelined for 190 days before Liverpool’s final pre-season game against Como. At just 21 years old and with only 57 senior appearances under his belt, patience seemed necessary.
Instead, Jacquet quickly adapted and showed strong comfort under manager Andoni Iraola.
Jacquet Fits Perfectly Into Iraola’s System
Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth highlighted what Jacquet brings. He intercepted play near his own penalty area, drove forward to release Bradley Barcola, then found Alexander Isak with a precise pass. Moments later, he intercepted again, helping set up another chance.
This eagerness to challenge attackers fits Iraola’s style. The centre-backs are expected to step out and confront opponents, keeping Liverpool compact and enabling the press to work higher up the pitch. Jacquet seems naturally built for this role.
- Premier League duel success rate: 76.3%, second only to Everton’s James Tarkowski among defenders with over 300 minutes played
- Aerial duel success rate: 76.9%
Van Dijk Offers a Grounded Perspective
"He has had an excellent start, but we are only in September," said Virgil van Dijk after the Bournemouth win. "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."
Iraola also noted Jacquet’s physical progress. Initially, the young defender struggled with the Premier League’s pace, ending games tired and cramping. But recently, he’s looked solid and physically ready through full matches.
Passing Ability Boosts Liverpool’s Build-Up Play
Jacquet’s real strength lies in what happens after winning the ball. The Athletic points out his knack for turning defensive stops into attacks—something Liverpool missed at times with Ibrahima Konate.
- 57 passes into the final third (third highest among Premier League defenders)
- 76 line-breaking passes (sixth highest total)
His blend of strength, anticipation, and progressive passing explains why France has already moved him into Zinedine Zidane’s senior squad.
Our Take: Jacquet’s Rapid Rise is Encouraging
Watching Jacquet feels exciting because he shows traits usually seen only after much more experience. Against Bournemouth, defending a narrow lead, he was confident, aggressive, and crucially, forward-thinking once Liverpool regained possession.
This forward vision matters a lot. While Van Dijk offers exceptional passing range, Jacquet adds another defender who can break lines. Opponents can’t just force the ball to one centre-back expecting Liverpool’s build-up to falter. His 57 passes into the final third and 76 line-breaking passes already make him a key part of Liverpool’s playstyle.
His partnership with Ronald Araujo is interesting too. With Araujo at right-back, Liverpool kept three straight Premier League clean sheets, limiting Ipswich, Fulham, and Bournemouth to less than 0.80 xG each match.
For fans, the biggest relief might be how quickly worries about Liverpool’s centre-back situation have eased. Tough games await against Manchester City, Brentford, Brighton, and Arsenal after the international break. Those will provide clearer tests.
For now, Liverpool’s £60 million signing looks like a smart move. Jacquet has started like someone determined to claim his spot and grow into a top defender.
