Jérémy Jacquet arrived at Liverpool this summer carrying the label of one of Europe’s most exciting young centre-backs. Barely two months into his Anfield career, the 21-year-old is already beginning to justify it and his latest breakthrough could have consequences for Ibrahima Konaté at international level.

According to L’Équipe, Jacquet could partner Dayot Upamecano for France in upcoming fixtures, with Konaté’s medium-term position in the national-team set-up now described as being in doubt. 

That conversation has gathered momentum after Jacquet earned his first senior France cap against Belgium on Monday, starting and completing all 90 minutes as Zinedine Zidane’s side secured a 1-0 Nations League victory in Brussels.

It wasn’t merely a ceremonial debut, either. Jacquet produced six successful duels from nine, made four tackles and completed 92 per cent of his passes from 88 touches. He also registered 10 passes into the final third, the joint-highest figure in the match. 

For Liverpool supporters, none of this will feel particularly surprising. Jacquet has already made seven competitive appearances for the Reds this season, accumulating 551 minutes across the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup. Five of those appearances have come in the league, where he has played 417 minutes. 

His performance against Bournemouth perhaps offered the clearest glimpse yet of his ceiling. Jacquet was named Liverpool’s Player of the Match after helping secure a 1-0 victory, completing 54 of his 61 passes, including 10 line-breaking passes, while producing several crucial defensive interventions. 

There is a calmness to Jacquet that feels unusual for a defender who only turned 21 in July. Liverpool knew they were buying potential when they agreed his move from Rennes in February, but his transition to English football has been remarkably quick.

His numbers in France had already hinted at what was coming. During the 2025/26 Ligue 1 campaign, Jacquet won 75.5 per cent of his aerial duels, 62 per cent of his ground duels and completed 90.4 per cent of his passes. 

Now comes an intriguing subplot. Konaté has long been established alongside Upamecano in the France picture, while Jacquet once openly named both Konaté and Virgil van Dijk among the defenders he admired. 

A few months later, he isn’t simply learning from them. He is beginning to compete with them.

Is Jérémy Jacquet a better option than Konaté? Leave your thoughts and comments below.