Liverpool's Unique Transfer Strategy, a Tricky Slot Situation

LIVERPOOL, MONDAY - Through the acquisition of the talented young defender from France, Jeremy Jacquet, Liverpool appears to be prioritizing the future of the team. However, they seem to be turning a blind eye to the current unfavorable situation. Jacquet, who is urgently needed, will only join next summer. This unique transfer strategy signals a troubling sign for Liverpool Manager Arne Slot.

Activity on the deadline day of the January transfer window in the English League was quiet. Only ten transactions occurred in the 24 hours leading up to the closure of the window on Tuesday (3/2/2026) early morning WIB. The largest transaction was made by Liverpool, who signed Jacquet from Rennes for 60 million pounds sterling (Rp 1.37 trillion).

Interestingly, Jacquet will only join on July 1. The young player, who is in demand by major clubs, will still wear the Rennes jersey until the end of the season. This transaction raises significant questions.

Liverpool, who are currently experiencing a defensive crisis, did not add any other players in this transfer window.

Slot's great hopes for the club's management have gone unreciprocated. "We are striving to strengthen the squad, not weaken it. Let us see together what will happen after this window closes," said Slot when asked about Liverpool's transfer plans, just before the deadline, as quoted by Sky Sports.

Liverpool actually needs additional defenders right now. They are experiencing a crisis in the defensive line. In the right-back position, Conor Bradley is confirmed to be injured until the end. Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong has been struggling with fitness issues since the beginning of the season. As a result, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is often forced to play in that position.

(Jacquet) is a potential, one of the pieces for the team's future, but the transfer could bite Liverpool back.

The position of center-back is equally concerning. After Giovanni Leoni's long injury, they only have three available players, namely Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, and Virgil van Dijk. The slot sometimes has to utilize midfielder Wataru Endo if those defenders are unable to play, as was the case when they lost to Bournemouth at the end of January.

Several players were approached by Liverpool during the January transfer window, including Marc Guehi and Lutsharel Geeturida. However, they seemed more interested in the long-term prospects of finding a replacement for Van Dijk and Konate. That figure is embodied in Jacquet. Meanwhile, Guehi has joined Manchester City, while the transfer rumors surrounding Geeturida have faded away.

Liverpool seems to have resigned to letting go of the remainder of this season. In fact, they are still competing for the championship title in two competitions simultaneously, namely the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup. "The Reds" are also striving to finish in the top four of the Premier League to secure a ticket to next season's Champions League.

Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, stated that the transfer strategy of "The Reds" could backfire. "(Jacquet) is a potential, one of the pieces for the future of the team, but that transfer could come back to haunt Liverpool. If Van Dijk or Konate gets injured, they will have problems in the back line. That is a risk that must be taken because they are not bringing in another defender," he said.

Liverpool is currently caught in a tight competition for a spot in the Champions League. Competing teams, Chelsea and Manchester United, have begun to gain positive momentum following their coaching changes. Meanwhile, "The Reds" are currently in sixth place in the English Premier League standings.

The position of Slot is becoming increasingly precarious. Its future is threatened due to Liverpool's drastic decline in performance this season, right after winning the league last season. Rumor has it that Liverpool is monitoring Xabi Alonso, who has just parted ways with Real Madrid. The club management's intentions are clearly visible with their priorities in the recent transfer market.

The problem is that with minimal efforts to patch up the gaps in the second half of the season, Liverpool's future is also at risk. They will take a step back if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season. The club will certainly find it more difficult to attract big names. This scenario is certainly not desired in a transitional situation of a coaching change.

Regardless of that, Liverpool is very fortunate to have secured a great prospect like Jacquet. They outmaneuvered other teams in pursuit of the player's signature, including Chelsea. The 20-year-old defender is a future player for the French national team, having already held the captaincy at the youth level.

Jacquet is touted as a potential successor to Van Dijk. Both players possess identical abilities, particularly in aerial duels. Jacquet has recorded a 75.51 percent win rate in aerial duels with Rennes in Ligue 1 this season. This percentage is the highest among all defenders in Ligue 1.

Jacquet is also bold in playing the ball from the back, although he still makes mistakes quite often. He just needs a little time and guidance to reach the next level.

"I'm calm on the ball. Maybe I look a little indifferent, but I'm always focused," Jacquet told L'Equipe, describing his playing style. (AP/REUTERS)