Jeremy Jacquet marked his senior France debut with an 8/10 rating as Liverpool's defensive mainstay starred against Belgium
Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet delivered a fantastic performance on his senior France debut against Belgium in the Nations League on Monday night. The 21-year-old started alongside Maxence Lacroix at centre-back and won six of seven duels in a much-changed France side managed by Zinedine Zidane.
- Match: France vs Belgium, Nations League
- Venue: Stade Roi Baudouin
- Competition: Nations League
- Jacquet's passes completed: 92% accuracy
- Duels won: Six out of seven contested
- Media rating: 8/10 (Ouest-France)
Confirmed line-ups
France (4-3-3)
Starting XI: GK; Maxence Lacroix, Jeremy Jacquet; midfielders; forwards — full line-up not stated in source.
Substitutes: Not stated in source.
Belgium (4-3-3)
Starting XI: GK; defenders; midfielders; forwards — full line-up not stated in source.
Substitutes: Not stated in source.
Selection notes
Jacquet started alongside Maxence Lacroix in a much-changed France outfit. The centre-back partnership was one of several alterations made by manager Zinedine Zidane for the Nations League tie.
What was said
"Imperial Jacquet. It was his first time wearing the senior France jersey, but it certainly didn't show. Winning a duel after just ten seconds, playing passes that drove the play forward, and pushing into midfield to create numerical superiority—the former Rennes player looked like a seasoned veteran of the squad. If he keeps putting in performances like this, he soon will be."
"Unfazed during his first cap, the new Liverpool player particularly shone in his duels with De Ketelaere."
Ouest-France awarded Jacquet an 8/10 rating alongside Desire Doue, highlighting his immediate comfort at international level. The publication described him as "imperial" and noted his ability to drive forward and create numerical superiority — a hallmark of his game already evident at Liverpool.
Figaro Sport offered a slightly more restrained 6.5/10 but still praised his duel-winning against Charles De Ketelaere. The consistency of the praise across both outlets underlines how quickly the 21-year-old has adapted to elite football.
The numbers
- Duels won: 6 of 7 contested
- Passing accuracy: 92%
- Recoveries: 4
- Clearances: 3
- Successful tackles: 2
- Media ratings: Ouest-France 8/10; Figaro Sport 6.5/10
Why Jacquet is already indispensable for Liverpool and France
Jeremy Jacquet arrived from Rennes last summer with a shoulder injury that delayed his pre-season, raising doubts over his ability to handle the Premier League's intensity. Those doubts have been comprehensively dismissed. He has become an ever-present alongside Virgil van Dijk, and his performance against Belgium showed exactly why: composure, front-foot defending and progressive passing that turns defence into attack.
The 21-year-old's duel-winning and distribution allow him to step into midfield, as Ouest-France noted, creating overloads. That trait is invaluable for France and Liverpool, where breaking low blocks is a constant challenge. His recovery pace and reading of the game mean he can defend aggressively without exposing his partner — a skill that allows Maxence Lacroix to be more aggressive too.
With Ronald Araujo — the more experienced defensive acquisition — operating at right-back due to Jacquet's success, Liverpool have a settled centre-back pairing that is both dominant and technically secure. Jacquet may be rested for France's next Nations League match against Italy with wholesale changes expected, but his long-term future at both club and international level looks assured.
Talking points
- Jacquet's 8/10 rating is remarkable for a debutant, but should he have scored higher given his duel dominance and passing accuracy? Ouest-France clearly thought so.
- Has Jacquet already overtaken Ronald Araujo as Van Dijk's first-choice partner, and does that signal a permanent position change for the Uruguayan?
- At 21, Jacquet is performing with the maturity of a seasoned veteran. Is he now France's long-term answer at centre-back alongside Lacroix?
- Did Figaro Sport's 6.5/10 undervalue Jacquet's impact compared to Ouest-France's 8/10? The duel against De Ketelaere was crucial.
What happens next
Jacquet could be rested for France's next Nations League match against Italy, with wholesale changes expected. He is most likely to return to the starting XI for the reverse fixture against Belgium before returning for club duty with Liverpool. His next chance to impress for his country will likely come in that Belgium rematch, where he will aim to build on a memorable debut.
Frequently asked questions
How did Jeremy Jacquet perform on his France debut against Belgium?
He won six of seven duels, completed 92% of his passes, made four recoveries, three clearances and two successful tackles, earning an 8/10 rating from Ouest-France.
Who did Jeremy Jacquet partner in defence for France against Belgium?
Jacquet started alongside Maxence Lacroix at centre-back in a much-changed France side managed by Zinedine Zidane.
Will Jeremy Jacquet play for France against Italy?
He could get a breather in the next Nations League match against Italy with wholesale changes expected, but he is most likely to return for the reverse fixture against Belgium.
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