Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have found the

According to Sports.

Context

Jeremy Jacquet, a young French defender, has already shown signs of great potential in his early career with Liverpool. After a significant move, he participated in every game of the season, contributing to a solid defense that earned several clean sheets. His ability to adapt to Premier League football and the praise he has received from figures such as Gerrard place him as a promising candidate for the club's future.

Why it matters

Steven Gerrard's assessment of Jeremy Jacquet highlights the importance of finding a suitable successor for Virgil van Dijk, a mainstay of Liverpool's defence. With Van Dijk's contract expiring in 2027, the club must consider options to ensure continuity in their defensive line. Jacquet, young and promising, could represent a long-term solution for Liverpool in the competitive Premier League landscape.

Key points

  • Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have found the.
  • Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has expressed great confidence in young defender Jeremy Jacquet, considering him the ideal candidate to replace Virgil van Dijk in defence.
  • Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have found their Virgil van Dijk replacement - Yahoo Sports.

Over the past decade, Liverpool have built much of their defensive identity around Virgil van Dijk. Finding a player capable of inheriting this responsibility is one of the most demanding challenges for the club. However, former Reds captain Steven Gerrard believes the answer may already be within the squad. During an interview with SPORTbible, Gerrard identified Jeremy Jacquet as the player best suited to succeed Van Dijk, whose current contract expires in June 2027.

This is an intriguing assessment for a young defender whose journey at Liverpool is still early, especially considering the high expectations that accompanied his arrival at Anfield. Jacquet has shown good quality in his first few weeks working under new manager Andoni Iraola, proving a solid choice following his £60 million move which concluded in January as he finished last season on loan at Rennes.

With the departure of Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool needed reinforcements at the back, and Jacquet responded impressively to the challenges of Premier League football. He has participated in every game of the season so far, contributing to a defensive line that has recorded three consecutive clean sheets in its first five league games. Gerrard noted these qualities: "I like him a lot, I've been impressed by him since the pre-season friendlies. He has great composure and a fantastic profile, he knows how to move well."

“Of course, he still has a bit of roughness, but I think he can reach another level and will be the perfect replacement for Virg in a year or two, as he has really helped solidify that defence,” Gerrard added. These observations are significant, considering that Gerrard understands the standards required of Liverpool's most influential players. Van Dijk turns 36 next July, and his contract situation inevitably raises questions about the club's long-term defensive planning.

Rumors linking the Dutch defender to AC Milan add a further dimension to these discussions. Van Dijk's influence remains notable: he helped secure 111 clean sheets in the Premier League and collected eight major trophies during his time at Anfield. Gerrard also described Van Dijk as Liverpool's best current player, reflecting the incredible consistency that has characterized his career.

With the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson after the 2025/26 season, another significant change would represent a transition for a team already busy adapting to a different era. Therefore, Liverpool must carefully consider succession, especially in a position where experience, authority and tactical understanding are indispensable.

Image

Jacquet's development offers Iraola the opportunity to establish continuity in Liverpool's defence. The Frenchman's mobility seems particularly suited to a system that requires defenders to operate confidently in open spaces and respond quickly when possession changes. His composure also suggests a player capable of taking on greater responsibility as his experience grows.

While there will inevitably be difficult days, young defenders learn through mistakes, particularly when competing against the Premier League's more experienced attackers. Playing alongside Van Dijk offers a valuable education. Liverpool also have Giovanni Leoni recovering from a ligament injury, another promising prospect for their long-term defensive plans.

For Jacquet, the immediate challenge is to maintain his impressive initial standards. Gerrard's prediction suggests Liverpool may have already discovered a central figure for their next generation. From a Liverpool fan's perspective, Gerrard's comments are fascinating, as Jacquet has already demonstrated qualities that usually take several seasons to develop.

There is something uniquely reassuring about seeing a 21-year-old tackle Premier League football with such composure. His positioning, speed of recovery and willingness to take on responsibility suggest that Liverpool have recruited a truly exceptional prospect. What particularly interests me is the relationship that is developing between Jacquet and Van Dijk. We have wondered for years how Liverpool could ever replace one of the greatest centre-backs in the club's history. Perhaps the smartest solution is to allow the successor to learn directly from the man himself.

Van Dijk's organizational intelligence, reading of danger and leadership remain extraordinary assets. Imagine what another season or two alongside him could mean for Jacquet's development. Personally, I would explore a further contract extension for Van Dijk, provided his performances continue to justify it. There is also an important financial consideration. Liverpool have invested a substantial sum in Jacquet, and his early performances suggest that such investment could prove extremely astute.

Under Iraola's guidance, defenders must possess the athleticism and confidence to tackle challenging situations. Jacquet seems naturally equipped for such responsibilities. Of course, replacing Van Dijk involves more than matching his physical characteristics. Leadership develops through experience, adversity and the trust of teammates. However, Gerrard's endorsement reinforces what many Liverpool fans are starting to suspect: Jeremy Jacquet could become one of the key transfer coups of Liverpool's next great team. And watching that potential develop alongside Van Dijk might be the most encouraging part of all.

What happens now

With Gerrard's approval, Jeremy Jacquet is expected to continue to earn the trust of new manager Andoni Iraola. His performance in the coming matches will be crucial to prove that he lives up to expectations and cement his place in Liverpool's starting line-up. If he continues to shine, Jacquet could become a key element in the Reds' defense, especially in view of future challenges in the Premier League.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Steven Gerrard say about Jeremy Jacquet?

Steven Gerrard has identified Jeremy Jacquet as the player best suited to succeed Virgil van Dijk.

Who confirmed that Jacquet could be Van Dijk's successor?

Steven Gerrard, former Liverpool captain, has confirmed that Jacquet could be Van Dijk's successor.

Why does Gerrard believe Jacquet is the right choice now?

Gerrard believes that Jacquet can reach another level and that he has already shown good qualities in his first weeks with Liverpool.

What changes has Jacquet brought to Liverpool's defence?

Jacquet contributed to a defensive line that recorded three consecutive clean sheets in the first five league games.

What was said about Van Dijk's contract?

Virgil van Dijk's contract expires in June 2027.

Related Articles

Related Articles