Though Liverpool emerged from the summer transfer window with an imbalanced squad, it was still a productive trip to the market.
Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola have added some much-needed width and dynamism in attack, sorting one of the most glaring issues from the 2025/26 campaign.
The real star of the show has been Jeremy Jacquet. What a revelation in central defence. Young and raw, the Frenchman had the potential to develop into one of the world’s best players.
Why Liverpool have hit the jackpot on Jeremy Jacquet
The plan was for Ibrahima Konate to renew his contract and mentor Jacquet alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Plans change. Konate and FSG could not find commonality in contract talks, and he left on a free, signing for Real Madrid (of course).
With Giovanni Leoni still rehabilitating and Joe Gomez seemingly doomed to an eternity of injury disruption, Liverpool’s hopes of bouncing back have hinged largely on Jacquet’s integration as 35-year-old Van Dijk’s partner.
Journalist Bence Bocsak believes he is “already one of the best defenders in the Premier League“. Talented on the ball, effortlessly elegant and monstrous when defending against Premier League attackers, there’s no question that the 21-year-old is the real deal.
His performances with France during the current international break have only supported that argument.
Sure, Liverpool paid a pretty penny back in January, agreeing to sign the Rennes defender for £60m, pipping Chelsea in the process, but his elite potential is evident.
FSG aren’t always in the fanbase’s good books, but they struck gold with this one, and they may have already repeated the trick.
How Liverpool have already repeated Jacquet masterclass
Jacquet is the real deal, alright, and Liverpool already feel like winners. Striking gold in such a way is a hard feat to achieve, but they might just have pulled off their next market masterclass this summer.
Alisson Becker is getting old. He is a legendary goalkeeper, but the 34-year-old is no longer in his prime, and saved only 65% of his shots faced in the Premier League last season (albeit boasting an improved 78% save rate this term).
|
Lowest Premier League Save Percentages 25/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Apps |
Save Percentage |
|
(16) Alisson Becker |
26 |
64.8% |
|
(17) Martin Dubravka |
35 |
64.1% |
|
(18) Jose Sa |
23 |
63.7% |
|
(19) Guglielmo Vicario |
31 |
62.4% |
|
(20) Lucas Perri |
16 |
56.7% |
Giorgi Mamardashvili has not been that convincing since joining the club last summer. Nottingham Forest explored a deal for the Georgian at the end of the summer transfer window.
But fear not. FSG have already agreed a deal to sign Lucas Brughmans from Genk, the keeper signing for Liverpool in a move rising to £30m this summer. Only 18 years old, Brughmans is already first choice at Genk, where he remains as a loanee.
Brughmans is young, and especially so for a goalkeeper. But there is no question that he is one of the most talented young stars playing out between the sticks. He averaged 8.44 progressive passes per game in the last calendar year, more than any other keeper in the Belgian Pro League.
His shot-stopping is excellent too, and like Jacquet, it feels like Liverpool have signed young with the knowledge that this player could quickly become a mainstay in Iraola’s set-up.
Liverpool would mark a significant step up – obviously. But in Jacquet, we have tangible evidence of a raw talent dovetailing right in. Not only is the 6 foot 6 Brughmans an adepty shot-stopper, but he is skilled with his feet and nimble and athletic.
In Jacquet, Liverpool paid a shedload for a young but talented player. They paid for a prospect they knew would find their way into Iraola’s plans.
The speed with which Jacquet has surged into prominence has been impressive, and there’s little to say that Brughmans couldn’t enjoy the same breakthrough when he arrives at Anfield next year.
The early readings are promising indeed. Mamarashvili hasn’t shown enough in a Liverpool shirt, and with Alisson getting on a bit, this could be the latest age-belying superstar to make a big impact under Iraola’s wing.