Andoni Iraola is making sure Jeremy Jacquet’s feet are kept firmly on the ground at Liverpool, following an outstanding debut performance last weekend.
The Frenchman looks like a centre-back of incredible promise, having captained France throughout youth team level, and producing an immaculate display against Como last weekend.
But speaking to the press [via This Is Anfield], Iraola has dealt with the hype surrounding Jacquet superbly, making it clear that he is a top young player, but telling Liverpool fans to expect errors from him:
“I think he had such a good first game that it’s almost dangerous! We will put the level there for him [gestures up high], ‘this is your level and this is what we expect from every game.’
“But I think it’s good because he hadn’t played a game since February. So he played his first 45. I think he also finished in a good place. He scored a goal in front of the fans in Anfield. That is always special, your first game in Anfield.
“I’m very happy for him and now we wish he can continue and he can grow. We know he will make mistakes. He is very young, new in the Premier League. We have to accept this. But we trust him.”
Superb management from Andoni Iraola
This is exactly the way Iraola should handle Jacquet, not allowing expectations of him to get too great, and ensuring mistakes aren’t overly scrutinised.
But it is hard not to feel excited about the potential that the 21-year-old has, with his display against Como everything you want from a centre-back, from quality on the ball to physicality.
Iraola now has to decide whether Jacquet should start alongside Virgil van Dijk when Liverpool open their Premier League account away to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
He is slightly more undercooked than Ronald Araujo, in terms of pre-season minutes, so it may make sense to go with the Uruguayan, especially as he is more experienced ahead of a potentially tough game.
But if Jacquet gets the nod, there is every chance that his star continues to rise, and in him and Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool look to be in safe hands for when Van Dijk eventually leaves.