Into the deep end: New £60m Liverpool star set to go straight into starting XI

Liverpool’s newest star is heading straight for their starting XI ahead of schedule.

There’s no question that Ibrahima Konate leaving Liverpool creates a problem. The Reds will lose a senior centre-back without a transfer fee and they’re not particularly setup to cover him.

Giovanni Leoni is only a teenager and coming back from a serious knee injury. Joe Gomez is heavily linked with his own exit and continues to battle fitness issues.

It leaves an unknown quantity to partner Virgil van Dijk at the back as things stand: Jeremy Jacquet. The French star hasn’t even joined Liverpool properly after agreeing a big-money £60m move back in January.

But the Reds know they already need him. Liverpool may not find the kind of player to replace Konate directly as a senior option – and they may not want to now that next season is essentially confirmed to be a transition year.

Jacquet is immediately thrust into a high-profile spot. It wasn’t the plan, Konate was, but now his compatriot takes on his mantle.

If he steps up in year one, Liverpool will know they’ve got someone very, very special.

Jeremy Jacquet: Situation Summary

Rennes Campaign and Stats

As of 31 May 2026, Jérémy Jacquet has concluded a bittersweet domestic campaign with Stade Rennais. The 20-year-old French centre-back showed immense promise at the heart of the defence but saw his season cut short prematurely. He suffered a serious shoulder injury during a match against Lens on 7 February, requiring surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Despite the injury setback, his rehabilitation is progressing well, and he is on track to return for pre-season training in early July.

Blockbuster Premier League Transfer

The young defender’s future is already mapped out away from Ligue 1. During the winter window, Liverpool finalized a pre-contract agreement to secure Jacquet’s signature. The Merseyside club paid an initial £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons, making him one of the most expensive French players in history. He will officially seal his high-profile move to Anfield on 1 July.