Jeremy Jacquet, The 21-Year-Old Defender Who Stole the Spotlight in Liverpool's Win Over Bournemouth
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- Liverpool menang 1-0 atas Bournemouth lewat gol Alexander Isak pada menit ke-57, memperpanjang rekor tak terkalahkan di awal musim.
- Di balik gol Isak, bek muda Jeremy Jacquet tampil impresif dengan akurasi umpan 88%, sembilan umpan menembus lini, dan enam pemulihan bola.
- Performa Jacquet memunculkan wacana bahwa ia bisa menjadi pemain paling berpengaruh Liverpool, melampaui Dominik Szoboszlai yang sedang tidak dalam performa terbaik.
Liverpool secured a narrow 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on Saturday (6/9/2025), in their final match before the international break. Alexander Isak's solitary goal in the 57th minute was enough to maintain The Reds' unbeaten record in the 2026/27 Premier League, while also giving Andoni Iraola a win at his former club's home ground.
Isak indeed became the center of attention after scoring the winning goal. The Swedish forward has now accumulated four goals in five league matches, surpassing his total of just three goals last season due to a string of injuries. His supporting statistics are also promising: in addition to scoring, he created one chance and delivered three passes into the final third. This record indicates that the 26-year-old player is starting to find his sharpness after being bought for £125 million.
However, behind Isak's dazzling goal, another figure performed no less importantly: young center-back Jeremy Jacquet. The 21-year-old French player started again and completed the match with impressive statistics. He recorded an 88% pass accuracy, nine of which were line-breaking passes. Without the ball, Jacquet was also dominant with three tackles, six ball recoveries (the most among Liverpool defenders), two interceptions, and two clearances. His ground duel success rate reached 75%, helping Liverpool secure their third clean sheet in the league this season.
Jacquet's ability to build attacks from the back perfectly aligns with Iraola's philosophy, which relies on ball possession and quick transitions. His presence provides stability in a defense that was doubted before the season began. Many previously questioned whether this young player could adapt to the rigors of the Premier League, but he has proven himself to be one of the most promising defenders in the competition.
Meanwhile, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, usually Liverpool's attacking engine, performed below par. He failed to replicate his brilliant performance against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and even received a yellow card. Szoboszlai's dip in form opened up space for other players to shine, and Jacquet capitalized on it effectively. Now, an argument has emerged that the young defender has taken over the status as the most influential player in the Liverpool squad.
"Jacquet has exceeded expectations. He shows a calmness and maturity rarely seen in players his age," said a Premier League analyst.
For Indonesian football fans, Jacquet's performance serves as a reminder that investing in young players can have an instant impact, even in a league as competitive as the Premier League. Liga 1 clubs currently building their team foundations can learn about the importance of trusting young talent, especially in crucial positions like center-back. Furthermore, Jacquet's success also confirms that rapid adaptation is not impossible, provided a player possesses strong tactical intelligence and mental fortitude.
Looking ahead, the challenge for Jacquet is to maintain consistency. Liverpool will face a packed schedule with tough matches in the league and Europe. If he can sustain his performance, it's not impossible that he will become a key pillar for The Reds in the coming years. Meanwhile, Isak needs to continue proving that his sharpness is not just a coincidence. The question is, will Iraola be able to manage the high expectations for both players and lead Liverpool to silverware this season?
