Danny Murphy Highlights Key Area for Liverpool’s Jeremy Jacquet to Improve
Liverpool’s summer signing Jacquet has made an assured start at Anfield after the club agreed a £60 million ($80m) package with Rennes in February. The France Under-21 international stayed in France for the remainder of that campaign before joining Liverpool over the summer, and has quickly formed part of Andoni Iraola’s defensive plans.
Why Jacquet’s start matters for Liverpool
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Transfer agreement | £60 million ($80m) package with Rennes |
| Agreement date | February |
| Clean sheets this season | 2 |
| Clean-sheet opponents | Ipswich and Fulham |
| Liverpool’s unbeaten run | 6 matches in all competitions |
The centre-back’s early displays have eased concerns around Liverpool’s reshaped back line following the departures of Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate at the end of their contracts. Jacquet has operated alongside captain Virgil van Dijk, giving the young defender an experienced partner as he adjusts to Premier League football.
He has impressed with his tackling, calmness in possession and ability to distribute from defence. Comparisons have already been made with Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, although former Liverpool midfielder Murphy urged caution over placing such expectations on a player still at the beginning of his English top-flight career.
Murphy said Jacquet’s elegance and quality carrying the ball make it easy to understand the excitement, but argued that a defender must prove himself over a sustained period. He identified decision-making as the defining attribute for a centre-half, warning that technical and physical gifts alone do not prevent defensive vulnerability.
There is, however, clear belief in Jacquet’s potential. Murphy said the defender has the tools to become an outstanding player, while stressing that young centre-backs require support from those around them. Van Dijk’s presence should be particularly valuable as Jacquet faces tougher periods during the season.
Liverpool’s wider defensive balance remains a concern despite Ronald Araujo adding greater stability after his arrival. Fulham, Atletico and Nottingham Forest all created opportunities against the Reds, underlining Murphy’s view that the full-back situation has not always offered sufficient protection to the central defenders.
Jacquet has contributed to shutouts against Ipswich and Fulham, but Liverpool have not yet consistently reached their best as a team despite going unbeaten through six fixtures in all competitions. Their next test comes away to Bournemouth, Iraola’s former club, where a stronger defensive platform will again be central to their hopes of securing a result.
Tests still to come
Jacquet’s longer-term level will be judged through the winter schedule, demanding matches and any periods in which Van Dijk is unavailable to play alongside him. Liverpool’s collective defensive improvement, particularly around the full-back positions, also remains an important issue as the campaign develops.
