Liverpool have confirmed the acquisition of Rennes centre‑back Jeremy Jacquet for a reported £60 million, a fee that underscores the club’s intent to reinforce its defensive core ahead of the 2024‑25 season.
Why Jacquet?
Jacquet, 22, arrives with a reputation for physical robustness and a keen footballing intellect—qualities that Liverpool’s scouting network identified as complementary to the existing back‑line. While he still has technical aspects to refine, his aerial dominance, positional awareness and composure under pressure suggest a high ceiling for development.
Potential to Emulate Van Dijk
Club officials and former coaches have drawn parallels between Jacquet’s growth trajectory and that of Virgil van Dijk, who remains one of Europe’s premier centre‑backs and Liverpool’s captain under manager Arne Slot. Van Dijk, whose contract runs until 2027, set a benchmark for leadership, ball‑playing ability and defensive solidity. Liverpool’s hierarchy believes Jacquet possesses the raw attributes to evolve into a comparable figure with the right mentorship and exposure to top‑level competition.
Technical Profile and Development Path
At Rennes, Jacquet demonstrated a 78 % success rate in aerial duels and averaged 2.3 interceptions per game in Ligue 1. His passing accuracy of 84 % indicates comfort in building from the back, though analysts note room for improvement in progressive passes and one‑on‑one defending against pacey attackers. Liverpool’s coaching staff plan to integrate him gradually, pairing him with seasoned defenders in training to accelerate his tactical understanding.
Strategic Fit for Liverpool
With Van Dijk entering the latter stages of his contract and the squad seeking depth to cope with a congested fixture schedule, Jacquet offers a long‑term solution. His age aligns with Liverpool’s policy of securing promising talent capable of contributing immediately while also providing resale value. The £60 million outlay reflects both the market premium for elite centre‑backs and Liverpool’s confidence in Jacquet’s upside.
Looking Ahead
Jacquet is expected to join the first‑team squad for pre‑season preparations in July, where he will be assessed alongside existing defenders. If his adaptation proceeds as anticipated, he could feature in domestic cup fixtures before challenging for a Premier League berth later in the campaign.
