Liverpool’s new centre-back Jeremy Jacquet won’t be in the picture until next season, but we can expect elite-level ability when he does arrive.
There’s a reason so many clubs registered interest in Jacquet.
He’s only 20, and centre-backs don’t tend to bloom as early as he has. At 6’4″, he is already physically capable of going toe-to-toe with any number nine.
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Are you worried Jeremy Jacquet won’t live up to his price tag at Liverpool?
Jeremy Jacquet arrives before Spain v France - UEFA European U19 Championship Finals
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And he’s amongst the best in Europe in an important defensive facet of the game, alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Jeremy Jacquet is right next to Virgil van Dijk in European top 5
With how the Premier League is trending — especially this season — aerial dominance has never been more important.
Long throws and corners are how some teams get results (cough cough, Arsenal), and it’s something Liverpool have struggled to defend against this season.
Liverpool players defending corner against Arsenal
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Van Dijk has always been strong in that regard, but new signing Jacquet is almost as good already, albeit in a weaker league.
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According to OptaJoe, Jacquet is fifth-best in Europe for winning aerial duels at 75.5%, while his soon-to-be captain is in fourth with 77.3%.
It’s an area in which Ibrahima Konate is also elite, but for whatever reason, they haven’t been able to deal with set-pieces well this season. It’s not just that they haven’t been great; they have been one of the worst sides in the Premier League.
Where does Ibrahima Konate rank in Liverpool’s greatest Premier League centre-backs?
He was COLOSSAL vs Newcastle
Ibrahima Konate celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Newcastle in the Premier League at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
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Jeremy Jacquet isn’t far off Ibrahima Konate’s level
We don’t know what the centre-back situation will look like next season, with Konate’s contract situation still unresolved. If he does go, though, Jacquet might be able to step in already.
He has just 31 senior appearances under his belt, but if you have watched clips from Rennes, it’s evident that he’s destined for success.
The youngster has an edge over Konate in possession too. He’s very much capable of both distributing the ball and carrying it forward, and even if Liverpool’s current Frenchman at the back stays, there’s a chance Jacquet challenges him for the starting role.
And don’t forget about Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool haven’t done much to impress in the recently closed window, but the Jacquet signing was a real coup — his arrival is something to look forward to.
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