Liverpool have spent plenty of money over the past few transfer windows attempting to future-proof the centre of defence.
We’ve seen big-money deals completed for Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet - with others such as Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye also arriving at the club.
Ibrahima Konate departed for Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of last season - and Virgil van Dijk as well as Joe Gomez are due to leave the club at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Therefore a central defensive rebuild has been uppermost in the thoughts of now-departed sporting director Richard Hughes as well as new head coach Andoni Iraola for some time.
And having finally shaken off a damaging shoulder injury suffered in January 21-year-old Jacquet has taken Anfield by storm.
The Frenchman’s signing from origin club Rennes was put in place back in the winter transfer window - with the Reds agreeing to pay around £60m for the France under-21 international.
Now according to a report in TEAMtalk club insiders believe they have landed an absolute bargain in Jacquet - who is already being viewed in club circles as an upgrade on compatriot Konate.
“Liverpool firmly believe they may have hit the jackpot with Jeremy Jacquet after making a huge impression since arriving at Anfield,” the report reads.
“Those in power at Anfield believe the Frenchman is destined to reach the very top.”
Liverpool fans have had to be patient with Jacquet - who went straight into recovery after jetting in from the Ligue 1 side over the summer.
They waited to catch a glimpse of him in preseason - finally seeing their new No5 in action just before the campaign kicked off. The early signs are extremely promising - with Jacquet striking up a strong partnership with seasoned veteran Van Dijk alongside him.
“They secured one of the finest young defenders in Europe when they agreed his £60million transfer,” the report reads.
“They may have actually upgraded their options at centre-back. The early feeling at the club is that the investment could prove to be exceptional value.”
Liverpool have got no problem whipping out the chequebook when they believe the right deal is there to be done.
And with Jacquet in particular it looks like money well spent by Hughes - the much-maligned sporting director who nonetheless hit the jackpot with Jeremy Jacquet.
