Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has tipped Jeremy Jacquet to potentially become the best centre-back in Premier League history.
The Frenchman joined the Reds from Rennes this past summer in a deal potentially worth up to £60million. And it hasn't taken Andoni Iraola long to start seeing a return on that investment now the 21-year-old is settling in at Anfield.
Johnson's High Praise for Jacquet
Jacquet has one of the best tutors a young defender could ask for in Liverpool partner Virgil van Dijk. And while clean sheets have been at a premium for Iraola's side this season, Jacquet is playing his role in spearheading the club to success after a rocky start.
"Without a doubt Jacquet is among the best centre-backs in the league," he told Betarades. "To be honest, I'd never seen him play before he made his way to the Premier League.
"I'd obviously heard things, but I'd never seen him play. Then obviously when I did see him play, I was like, 'Wow, how have I never seen that before?' Like you'd think it would be a ram down and exit, like it is in the Premier League.
"But to me, he has everything. To be so young, he's so good on the ball, so calm, proper athlete, quick, strong. If he keeps improving, he could literally probably end up being the best centre-back the Premier League has ever seen. Of course players like Virgil, they can't be replaced. But you can get very good players that can perform."
Jacquet's Impact at Liverpool
"So you wouldn't want him to replace Van Dijk, you'd like to keep them both together...It's not about replacing Van Dijk but Jacquet can sort of fill that void in terms of like a big character that can dominate strikers the way Virg does. The longer you keep them two together, the longer you have Liverpool rubbing their hands together."
Jacquet played the entire 90 minutes on Tuesday as Liverpool came from behind to beat Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League. The Reds have shipped 10 goals across their past four games but are now riding a streak of three straight wins since a 3-0 loss at home to Manchester City.
It's perhaps symptomatic of the football Iraola is trying to promote at the club, which has witnessed a string of high-scoring games of late. Iraola's preference may be to shore things up at the back over time, though it will matter little as long as his side are winning games.
Future Prospects for Liverpool's Defence
Liverpool have another defensive prodigy waiting in the wings in Giovanni Leoni. However, the 19-year-old is being carefully managed in his recovery from a long-term knee injury and is yet to make much of a first-team impact.
Jacquet, who received his first senior France caps during the last international break, is proving he's ready for the challenge right now, however. And in the event Van Dijk does leave when his contract expires next summer, Liverpool have at least one gem ready to help in taking up the mantle.
