Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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While Liverpool’s attack might have toiled against Fulham, Jeremy Jacquet again stood out at the other end of the pitch. It is so easy to forget he is only 21 years old.
Were it not for the Frenchman, the Reds would have lost to the Cottagers. He produced a stunning goal-line clearance in the first half to deny Gonzalo Garcia after the forward had rounded a rash Alisson Becker following sloppy play from the Brazilian and Ryan Gravenberch.
In a 0-0 draw lacking quality, the young defender brought a certain je ne sais quoi to proceedings as he dominated defensively - and that was despite playing through the pain at the end.
He won a stunning five aerial battles, earned applause for one superbly-timed tackle and completed two clearances and one interception. One perfectly-timed block denied Fulham in the first half also, while his total of 85 successful passes was more than any other player on the pitch.
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It is easy to forget there were genuine concerns about Liverpool’s centre-back options heading into the new season, following Ibrahima Konate’s free transfer exit to Real Madrid.
The Reds were left with an aging Virgil van Dijk, an injury-prone Joe Gomez, the injured Giovanni Leoni - the inexperienced teenager still working his way back from an ACL injury - and Jacquet, himself also lacking experience and feeling his way back from a dislocated shoulder.
It was unclear who would establish themselves as Van Dijk’s first-choice centre-back partner. But Jacquet has quickly silenced any doubts or fears, with the Frenchman an ever-present in the heart of defence so far this season.
His predecessor, Konate, was 22 years old when he joined Liverpool in a £35m deal from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021. He had to be patient in his first season on Merseyside, making just 11 Premier League starts under Jurgen Klopp.
Admittedly the former Red faced sterner competition for places. But with Jacquet a £55m arrival from Rennes, he already looks worth every penny. And if we’re honest, far more assured than an inconsistent Konate often did.
Liverpool do not miss the now Real Madrid man.
Saturday’s draw with Fulham marked the first time all four of the Reds summer signings started together. Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo have all had their positive early moments, with the signs so far so good from all of former sporting Richard Hughes’ Anfield leaving gifts.
But Jacquet has been the best of the bunch. Make no mistake, Liverpool have signed a gem.
Gakpo and Mac Allister flip the script
Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister were two of Liverpool’s biggest under-performers last season as the Reds limped through a treacherous campaign. They were regularly the subject of supporter frustration as a result, and both had been tipped for summer departures.
Yet just three weeks into the Andoni Iraola era, the pair are players reborn with their importance to the cause clearer than ever.
They would have been used to hearing frequent grumbles and groans from the terraces last season. For every misplaced pass, for every blocked shot.
But a different sound greeted their arrival in the 60th minute against Fulham. With Liverpool toiling to a 0-0 draw, the pair were sent on to try and save the day as their entrance to the pitch lifted the crowd.
Their fortunes have already improved under their new head coach, with both Gakpo and Mac Allister being two of the Reds’ brighter sparks in the opening weeks of the season.
Producing match-winning contributions in Liverpool’s last two matches, they were unfortunately unable to repeat such efforts against Fulham, no matter how hard they tried.
Both saw shots blocked, while Mac Allister produced two key passes during his 30 minutes on the pitch. Only Dominik Szoboszlai created more in the entirety of the match.
While they might not have been on the winning side on Saturday, their place in the heart of the Anfield faithful has been restored with Liverpool supporters once again enjoying a greater appreciation for their talents.
Could have Kostas
Kostas Tsimikas had waited 16 months to start a Premier League game for Liverpool once again.
The Greek often shared left-back duties with Andy Robertson during the Reds’ title-winning campaign of 2024/25, only to be the man to make way once it became clear that Liverpool would sign Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth.
A season-long loan move to AS Roma followed, but the full-back started just six times in Serie A as he endured a frustrating campaign mostly sat in reserve.
Desperate to return to Merseyside, he could have been recalled in January had Robertson completed a mid-season move to Tottenham Hotspur. But with the Scot departing on a free transfer this summer, the self-proclaimed Greek Scouser is a Liverpool player once more.
But handed a first start since returning against Fulham, coming at a time when Kerkez’s own showings have been the subject of scrutiny, Tsimikas’ performance could be described as rusty at best as he did little to shake off the struggles from his time in the eternal city.
The 30-year-old was withdrawn at half-time following a difficult showing, littered with misplaced passing. Completing 65% of his 31 passes, such a return was comfortably the lowest of any Liverpool player as he struggled to forge a connection with Bradley Barcola.
On more than one occasion, Oscar Bobb would skip past the Greek with the Norwegian almost assisting Antonee Robinson in the first half with one smart cross after getting past Tsimikas.
It was no surprise to see him withdrawn at half-time. Out of contract next summer, it would be no surprise if he is now navigating the final season of his Liverpool career.
With the Reds next in League Cup action against Robertson and Spurs, he could be handed a swift reprieve.
In truth, perhaps a difficult afternoon should be no surprise given how he fared in Italy. His rustiness can be forgiven. But Tsimikas will have to get back up to speed fast after letting this opportunity slip through his fingers.
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