Signed as an alternative to Leny Yoro, Jeremy Jacquet has rapidly become indispensable at Anfield, earning praise from Zinedine Zidane and Virgil van Dijk.

When the dust settled on Liverpool’s hard-fought victory over Brighton on Sunday, Jeremy Jacquet took to social media to share a message that resonated far beyond his burgeoning follower count. "Trust in the process, trust in the plan," the 21-year-old posted, accompanied by a series of snapshots from a match where he had just helped secure Liverpool’s fourth clean sheet of the young campaign. It was a moment of quiet reflection from a player who has spent the last few months silencing any remaining sceptics of his £60 million price tag. For a club that famously prioritises statistical certainty, the acquisition of Jacquet from Rennes was a calculated risk that is currently yielding massive dividends.

The path that led Jacquet to Merseyside was paved by the collapse of a different pursuit. Only months ago, the recruitment hierarchy at Anfield was heavily linked with Leny Yoro, but the French starlet ultimately chose a high-profile move to Manchester United. While Yoro’s debut season has been marred by high-profile errors, most notably a recent disaster against Bournemouth, Jacquet has flourished in the relative stability of Arne Slot’s system. The contrast between the two French defenders was stark this past weekend; while one struggled with the physical demands of the league, the other looked every bit the finished product against a tricky Brighton side.

The Newcastle Baptism and Rapid Adaptation

Stepping into a Liverpool backline vacated by the departure of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid was never going to be a simple task. Jacquet’s transition was further complicated by a summer spent in the treatment room rather than on the training pitch. A broken shoulder suffered in February was followed by a nagging knee issue that prevented him from playing a single minute of the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. His first real taste of the Anfield atmosphere came in a friendly against Como, where he marked his debut with a goal, but the true test arrived just seven days later at the atmospheric St James’ Park.

Making a Premier League debut away at Newcastle United is an ordeal that has broken many experienced veterans, yet Jacquet displayed a composure that defied his age. Despite Liverpool conceding an early goal, the young Frenchman took control of the game’s rhythm from the back. By the interval, he had completed more accurate passes and successful balls into the final third than any other player on the pitch. It was a statistical marker that suggested Liverpool had not just bought a defender, but a deep-lying playmaker capable of breaking defensive lines with surgical precision.

Tactical Evolution and Passing Range

Under the new coaching regime, Liverpool have shifted towards a more controlled build-up phase, requiring centre-backs to be as proficient with their feet as they are in the air. Jacquet has embraced this responsibility, often stepping into midfield to create numerical superiorities. His ability to identify passing lanes that others miss has become a hallmark of his play, allowing Liverpool to bypass high presses with a single vertical ball. This technical security has allowed fellow defenders like Ronald Araujo and Virgil van Dijk to focus on their positioning, knowing that the ball will be handled with care when it reaches the 21-year-old.

The underlying numbers support the visual evidence of his impact. Jacquet currently ranks fourth in the entire Premier League for interceptions and blocks, proving that his reading of the game matches his physical attributes. He has also registered 19 successful tackles, the highest figure among his defensive teammates. However, it is his distribution that truly sets him apart from the traditional mould of a bruising centre-half. His vision allows Liverpool to switch the point of attack with frightening speed, often catching opponents before they can reset their defensive shape.

The Desailly Aesthetic and Zidane’s Endorsement

The visual of Jacquet patrolling the Anfield pitch in short sleeves and gloves has sparked nostalgic comparisons on social media to the legendary Marcel Desailly. It is not just a matter of fashion; there is a certain elegance and dominance in his duels that mirrors the French icon. This was most evident during a physical encounter with Brentford, where Jacquet essentially neutralised the threat of Igor Thiago through a combination of raw strength and clever positioning. He seems to relish the physical confrontations of English football, a trait that has already endeared him to the Kop.

Such form was never going to go unnoticed by the national team. Following the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as the head coach of France, Jacquet was handed his senior international debut. After a commanding performance against Italy, Zidane was effusive in his praise, highlighting the defender’s bravery and willingness to engage in high-risk duels. "He wasn't afraid to come out a long way," Zidane noted, repeating four times that Jacquet had been "very good" in his assessment. Coming from one of the greatest figures in the history of the sport, such an endorsement carries immense weight.

Integration and the Van Dijk Influence

Off the pitch, Jacquet is making a concerted effort to immerse himself in the local culture. Alongside teammates Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz, and Ronald Araujo, he is undergoing intensive English lessons to ensure communication on the pitch is seamless. He has formed a close bond with the club’s younger contingent, including Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni, providing a glimpse of the long-term future of the squad. Staff at the AXA Training Centre describe him as mature beyond his years, a character trait that has allowed him to handle the pressure of his price tag with ease.

Key to this development has been the partnership with Virgil van Dijk. The club captain, who remains the only defender to cost Liverpool more than Jacquet, has taken the youngster under his wing. Van Dijk has publicly praised the relationship, noting that their understanding is improving with every training session and conversation away from the grass. While Van Dijk admits that Jacquet has not yet reached his ceiling, the early evidence suggests that the gamble taken by former sporting director Richard Hughes has paid off handsomely. Liverpool fans will be hoping this defensive foundation remains solid as the club prepares for a testing Carabao Cup clash against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea. more football news on MATCHLINE