Jeremy Jacquet earned his first senior international cap for France on Monday (Sep 28), helping the team to a 1-0 win over Belgium with a clean sheet. The 21-year-old Liverpool defender, who has kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, responded to the milestone with typical self-criticism rather than satisfaction.
"It's true that as a defender, a clean sheet is the best thing you can do," Jacquet told reporters after the match. "Especially with the win at the end, I can only be happy. But to say I'm satisfied, no. I think back to two or three attacking balls when I could have done much better with my passing. In particular, I can find the back line more quickly when winning the ball back. Despite two or three turnovers, I'm generally happy. We're leaving with the three points and the clean sheet."
Debut earns praise from French legends
Jacquet's performance was described as nerveless, and he earned lavish praise from compatriots Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane, who praised him again after Friday's display against Italy. With Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba both injured, French media were delighted with what they saw from the new defender.
Jacquet said: "I'm not going to get into whether I'll become a starter. I'm taking my time and keeping my feet on the ground. I'm asked to play, I'm given instructions and I try to follow them - I've got my head screwed on."
Rapid rise from Ligue 2 to Liverpool
Jacquet arrived from Rennes in the summer with fewer than 60 senior appearances to his name, having played in the French second division as recently as January last year. He had racked up just 57 appearances in senior football, with his only full Ligue 1 season disrupted by a shoulder injury.
His numbers have improved since joining Liverpool. He won 75.5% of his aerial duels in Ligue 1 last season, a figure that has risen to 76.9% this season. His overall duel win rate has improved from 67.2% at Rennes to 76.3% at Liverpool.
Key to Liverpool's high line
Jacquet's reading of the game allows Liverpool to play a higher defensive line, and he ranks in the top 10 among Premier League centre-backs for accurate passes (68.8) and line-breaking passes (16.4) per 90. He is third for accurate long balls (5.0) per 90, behind only Virgil van Dijk and Fulham's Joachim Andersen.
His presence has also benefited the midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister making on average 2.36 fewer sprints per 90 than last season. Liverpool have kept three clean sheets in a row in the Premier League and are yet to concede a goal this season with Jacquet and Ronald Araujo in the back line.
Jacquet's arrival has allowed Araujo to play at right-back, and the pair have formed a solid defensive partnership. His form also reduces pressure on Giovanni Leoni, returning from an ACL injury, and on Van Dijk, who will turn 36 next summer when his contract expires. Jacquet's presence means the club have found the next leader of Liverpool's defence, whether the changing of the guard takes place next summer or later.
