Jérémy Jacquet needed only one match to make a strong first impression at Liverpool.
The French defender made his first appearance for the Reds against Como in the club's final friendly before the new season. He not only looked impressive defensively, but also scored Liverpool's second goal in a 2-0 win at Anfield.
Beyond the goal, several other details made his debut worth examining.
Jacquet showed his qualities immediately
The most striking parts of Jacquet's performance were his reactions and the way he dealt with defensive situations.
He read attacks quickly, stepped in at the right moments and looked composed in possession. That is particularly important for a defender arriving at Liverpool, where he must adapt quickly to a possession-based style that builds from the back.
Comparisons with the departed Ibrahima Konaté will naturally follow, especially because Liverpool needed a defender with pace and the ability to cover space behind a high defensive line.
One friendly is never enough for a final judgement, but the opening signs were highly encouraging, perhaps even more than some expected after Jacquet's spell away from the pitch.
Why did Liverpool pay £60 million?
Liverpool agreed a deal with Rennes worth up to £60 million — £55 million guaranteed plus £5 million in add-ons — making Jacquet one of the club's biggest defensive investments in recent years.
The attraction is not only his age and future potential.
Jacquet has several qualities suited to modern football: he is comfortable in possession, capable of building play under pressure, physically strong and quick when covering space.
He started as a midfielder — and admired Paul Pogba
Before settling at centre-back, Jacquet played in midfield during his early years.
He has previously spoken about his admiration for Paul Pogba and said he once wanted to play like him, before Rennes' scouts decided his true future was in defence.
Over time, the French club's judgement proved correct. But Jacquet's midfield background never disappeared; it became part of his defensive style.
His ability to protect the ball, remain calm in possession and look for progressive passes instead of simply clearing it are all traits that help him play out from the back — and make him a potentially excellent fit for Liverpool.
An exciting partnership with Van Dijk?
Playing next to Virgil van Dijk could be extremely important for Jacquet's development.
Van Dijk has enormous Premier League experience, along with composure and elite reading of the game, all of which can help the French defender adapt to a higher level of competition.
Against Como, Jacquet started alongside Van Dijk before being replaced at half-time by Ronald Araújo.
It is far too early to talk about a first-choice partnership for the entire season, but Liverpool having several centre-back options gives the team more flexibility heading into the campaign.
A strong start — but the real test has not begun
For all the positive signs, Jacquet's debut needs to be viewed realistically.
Como was a friendly. The goal will give him confidence, but Premier League football is a completely different test of speed, power and pressure.
The true examination will come in competitive matches against Liverpool's league opponents.
Still, his first appearance cannot be ignored: a debut goal, composure on the ball, quick reactions and strong defensive reading.
For a player who arrived at Anfield for £60 million, that is exactly the kind of opening Liverpool supporters wanted to see.
Jacquet has not secured his place yet and has not proved he is the final solution to Liverpool's defence. But if the Como match was only the first glimpse of what he can offer, the Reds may have found a defender capable of making a major impact for years.
Jacquet's Liverpool story started almost perfectly. Now he has to prove it was more than a one-off.
