Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet is quickly establishing himself as a key figure at Anfield following his £60 million move from Rennes, with his composed performances and defensive consistency exceeding expectations. The 21-year-old delivered another impressive display in Liverpool’s victory over Brighton on Sunday, helping the team record its fourth Premier League clean sheet of the season.
Jacquet’s progress has attracted attention because Liverpool initially explored other defensive options before identifying him as a long-term investment. The club’s interest in Leny Yoro in 2024 helped direct attention towards the French centre-back, who was then playing for Rennes. Yoro eventually joined Manchester United, while Liverpool moved ahead with their pursuit of Jacquet.
The contrasting fortunes of the two young defenders added another talking point at the weekend. Yoro made a costly mistake during Manchester United’s defeat by Bournemouth, whereas Jacquet impressed with his assured defending against Brighton. Although both players have considerable potential, Jacquet’s seamless transition to English football has been particularly encouraging for Liverpool.
His immediate impact is even more notable given the injuries that disrupted his preparations. A shoulder fracture in February was followed by a knee problem during the summer, preventing him from taking part in Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States. He eventually made his first appearance for the club in a friendly against Como, scoring at Anfield shortly before the Premier League campaign began.
Liverpool’s defensive situation created an opportunity for Jacquet to establish himself. Following Ibrahima Konate’s departure to Real Madrid and injury concerns involving Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni, the young Frenchman was handed a starting role alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.
His first Premier League assignment came against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, a demanding introduction for a player new to English football. Despite conceding an early goal, Jacquet showed composure on the ball and demonstrated his ability to progress play with accurate passing. Subsequent matches against Manchester City and Brentford provided further tests, but he continued to show promising defensive qualities.
Jacquet’s performances have also been reflected in his statistics. He has recorded four clean sheets in the Premier League, made 19 tackles and registered 15 interceptions and 10 blocks, according to the figures in the report. Those numbers underline his ability to read danger, challenge opponents and contribute to Liverpool’s defensive resilience. His strong start has also earned recognition at international level. France coach Zinedine Zidane selected Jacquet for the national team, giving the defender an opportunity to make his senior international debut. Zidane praised his courage, strength in duels and willingness to step forward to challenge opponents during France’s match against Italy.
At Liverpool, Jacquet has benefited from playing alongside experienced defenders, particularly Van Dijk. The partnership has continued to develop through matches, training sessions and discussions away from the pitch. Van Dijk has praised the youngster’s progress while stressing that there is still room for improvement.
Jacquet’s rise has encouraged optimism that Liverpool have secured a defender capable of playing an important role for years to come. While his career at Anfield is still in its early stages, his consistency, confidence and ability to adapt suggest the club’s investment could prove worthwhile.
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