Liverpool have hit the transfer jackpot with Jeremy Jacquet after his summer move - but things could have turned out very differently
Jeremy Jacquet has been a revelation for Liverpool.
Jeremy Jacquet might not have ended up at Liverpool if the Reds signed their original target(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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They say the grass isn't always greener. Well, sometimes it is. Jeremy Jacquet is living proof of that.
The 21-year-old has already become a fan favourite at LIverpool and is quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising defenders around. His early performances in the Premier League have been sublime - and over the international break, he's been wowing Zinedine Zidane.
For years, life after Virgil van Dijk has looked bleak, with the 35-year-old repeatedly illustrating his importance despite entering the twilight of his career. While Jacquet is operating at Van Dijk's partner at present, he looks every inch the successor if he carries on this trajectory.
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Van Dijk will be out of contract in the summer and turning 36. There has been nothing to suggest he hasn't got one more season in him, but Jacquet's presence will no doubt comfort Andoni Iraola should the Dutchman call time on his memorable Anfield career.
Ibrahima Konate's shock departure in the summer, having appeared close to extending his stay on Merseyside, raised significant questions over Liverpool's defensive capabilities going into this season. But it has been so far, so good for Jacquet having shone in the first eight games of his Liverpool career.
When the Reds beat Chelsea to his signature on deadline day in February, while much of the celebrations were pinned on nipping a rival to a highly-rated player, Jacquet was relatively unknown. At the other end of the scale, there was disappointment when Liverpool exited the race to sign highly-rated Lille defender Leny Yoro.
Real Madrid appeared to be the favourites to sign the talented Frenchman, but Manchester United swooped in to sign the then 18-year-old for an initial £52million.
It could have been an oh, so different story. Operation Jacquet only ever started because Liverpool were conducting an information-gathering exercise for Yoro, which led to conversations about his countryman, who became a more prominent figure on the shortlist.
Jeremy Jacquet has been in fine form for Liverpool in his debut season.
Jacquet has been in fine form for Liverpool in his debut season.(Image: Getty Images)
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The Reds had entered the race to sign a teenage Yoro but were unwilling to match the fee that brought him to the Premier League, only up East Lancashire Road.
Yoro has since struggled in a dour United side that has been plagued with problems in the last two years. The 20-year-old received his maiden international call-up to Zidane's side and made his debut during the 4-1 win over Belgium on Monday, though, so it might be too harsh to say Liverpool dodged a bullet. But I don't think even Rio Ferdinand would try to argue now that United ended up with the better deal.
Both Yoro and Jacquet have come in for praise from the new French head coach during his first camp with the nation. On the Red Devils stopper, Zidane said: "There’s a lot of competition for that position, and when we lost Ibrahima Konaté , we immediately wanted to take Leny.
"I’m happy for him because he had a great game. He fulfilled his role well. I’m happy for all these young players in the French national team."
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But there were also some kind words for Jacquet, and the French media - often notoriously hard to please - have been waxing lyrical about the Liverpool star, describing his display during the 1-1 draw with Italy as 'dazzling'.
Zidane said last week: "Very good. Very, very good. Brave. He wasn’t afraid to come out a long way. Very good in the duels. He was, once again, very good. I said it four times."
A hamstring strain meant that Jacquet missed out on the win on Monday night, as France made it three wins from four UEFA Nations League matches, following a run of back-to-back outings in the clashes with Belgium and Italy.
But in his five Premier League matches so far, the 21-year-old has passed his tests with flying colours, all the while his fellow countryman has been consigned to just two outings, neither of which were starts - instead being late cameo appearances against Ipswich and Everton.
Jacquet has been a revelation for Iraola and bucked the trend of Liverpool's recent arrivals, who struggled in the early stages of their Anfield careers. He has looked assured, composed, physically ready for the Premier League, while you'd be hard pressed to say the same things about Yoro, despite him arriving two years earlier.
That's not to say the United defender won't go on to be a great, but right now, Jacquet is making the Liverpool recruitment team look very wise indeed.