Liverpool’s defensive planning has been thrown into unexpected turmoil as highly-rated young centre-back Jeremy Jacquet prepares to arrive at Anfield this summer, only to find that one of the players he was counting on learning from will no longer be at the club.
The 20-year-old Frenchman, who officially joins the Reds in July after his January transfer from Rennes, is set to walk into a significantly altered defensive landscape following the imminent departure of Ibrahima Konate.
According to reports, Konate is poised to leave Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June. This development comes as a surprise, especially after Arne Slot provided positive indications about the Frenchman’s future at the club just last month.
The exit of the 27-year-old creates an immediate void in central defence alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. Jacquet, signed as a long-term investment and potential successor in the position, was expected to benefit from the situation. Instead, he now faces an early disruption to his integration process at his new club.
Jacquet turned down Chelsea for Liverpool project
Liverpool fought off stiff competition from Chelsea to secure Jacquet’s signature on transfer Deadline Day in January. Standard Sport understands the deal is worth a guaranteed £55 million, with a further £5 million in add-ons, taking the total package to £60 million.
In an exclusive interview with French newspaper Ouest-France, Jacquet explained why he chose Merseyside over Stamford Bridge. He highlighted the clearer pathway at Liverpool and his excitement at the prospect of working with established stars.
“At Chelsea, I felt there were quite a lot of people [in his position],” Jacquet said. “Whereas at Liverpool, apart from the fact that Virgil van Dijk is nearing the end of his career, training with him is going to be huge. He’s going to teach me so much. There’s also [fellow Frenchman] Ibou Konate, who can help me settle in. Training with guys like that, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
Those words now carry added weight, as Konate’s departure removes one of the key French-speaking mentors Jacquet had been looking forward to working with.
Injury setback and recovery timeline
Jacquet’s transition has already encountered hurdles. Shortly after the transfer was announced, he suffered a dislocated shoulder that ruled him out for the remainder of the 2025/26 season with Rennes. He has not featured since the start of February.
The youngster underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, with every indication he will be available for the start of pre-season training under Arne Slot in July.
What next for Liverpool’s defence?
With Konate heading for the exit and Van Dijk entering the later stages of his elite career, Liverpool’s defensive rebuild appears to have been fast-tracked. Jacquet will be expected to step up quickly and compete for a place in the first-team squad next season.
Whether the club moves for another experienced centre-back to bridge the gap remains to be seen. What is clear is that the young Frenchman’s arrival comes at a moment of transition — one that offers significant opportunity but also immediate pressure to adapt.
For Jacquet, the dream move to Anfield has taken an unforeseen turn before he has even set foot in the dressing room. How he responds to this early challenge could define the start of his Liverpool career.