Liverpool's defensive setup for the new season is under scrutiny after the club completed a £60 million deal for French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet on Wednesday. The 20-year-old, regarded as one of France's best young defensive talents, was signed from Rennes after an agreement was reached in January, beating long-time suitors Chelsea to his signature.
Jacquet's arrival comes as Liverpool prepare for life without Ibrahima Konate, who declined a new contract and joined Real Madrid on a free transfer. With 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni expected to return from an ACL injury for pre-season, and the experienced Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez still at the club, new head coach Andoni Iraola has four senior centre-back options for the upcoming campaign.
The £90m Investment in Youth
Liverpool have spent close to £90 million on young defenders in the past year, signing Leoni from Parma for £27 million last summer and now Jacquet. The club has prioritised acquiring high-potential centre-backs, having previously scouted talents like Levi Colwill, Micky van de Ven, Leny Yoro, and Dean Huijsen over several years.
Jacquet underwent shoulder surgery in February after an injury ended his season, but he declared himself fully fit at his unveiling on Wednesday. Leoni, meanwhile, has been out for more than nine months with an ACL injury suffered last September, and his recovery will be managed carefully during pre-season.
Who Should Start at Newcastle?
The debate over who will partner Virgil van Dijk in the Premier League opener at Newcastle United on August 23 is intensifying. The ECHO's writers have weighed in with their opinions.
Paul Gorst argues that the £60 million fee for Jacquet signals the club's high expectations, and the Frenchman should be given every chance to prove himself. "It is undoubtedly a baptism of fire but a strong summer can ease concerns that more miles are needed on the young defender's clock," he writes. Gorst expects Jacquet to feature prominently in pre-season and start alongside Van Dijk at St James' Park.
Ian Doyle acknowledges that Joe Gomez would be the safest and most experienced option, having been a key figure alongside Van Dijk during the 2020 title-winning campaign. However, he notes that Liverpool are looking to the future. "The Reds didn't spend so big on Jacquet to keep him on the bench," Doyle says, suggesting pre-season could be a shoot-out between the two young defenders, with Leoni's head start at the club possibly giving him an edge.
Mark Jones highlights that Jacquet and Leoni together have only 122 senior games between them, but he believes Jacquet's recovery from injury and the fee paid for him mean he is likely ahead in the pecking order. Jones points to Iraola's track record at Bournemouth, where he trusted young centre-backs like Dean Huijsen and Iliya Zabarnyi, as evidence that the manager will have no qualms about fielding youth. "The shirt and the stage seem to belong to Jacquet," he concludes.
Iraola's First Major Decision
For Iraola, who replaced Jurgen Klopp after the 2025-26 season, this is one of his first major selection dilemmas. The new head coach has already made one signing in midfielder Victor Munoz, but the centre-back decision will set the tone for his tenure. With Van Dijk almost certain to start, the choice between Gomez's experience and the potential of Jacquet or Leoni will be closely watched.
Liverpool's opening fixture at Newcastle represents a tough test, but the club's investment in youth suggests a long-term vision. As Iraola builds his team, the centre-back partnership will be a key indicator of his approach.
