French media have say on ‘exposed’ Jeremy Jacquet after latest outing | Football | Sport

Jeremy Jacquet returned to action for Rennes on Tuesday night following his agreement to join Liverpool in a deal finalised during the January transfer window. But the 20-year-old endured a difficult comeback.

Playing in a back five, Rennes were comprehensively beaten 3-0 with Amine Gouiri, Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all finding the net. French media have weighed in, with the defender’s substantial transfer fee becoming a talking point.

GFNF

Jacquet was immediately thrust back into action against Marseille and predictably, his impending Liverpool transfer means greater scrutiny and heightened expectations surround him.

GFNF particularly highlighted that this price tag could prove problematic for Jacquet, who struggled during the cup match and appeared positionally uncertain at various points throughout the game.

“Now he’s been bought by Liverpool, the price-tag is already hanging over each performance with supporters of the Reds watching,” the outlet wrote. “His advanced positions on the ball were interesting but he looked exposed defensively in the second half, especially with Greenwood’s pace on the counter-attack.”

Ouest-France

Daily newspaper Ouest-France was considerably less critical of Jacquet, highlighting his leadership qualities. Nevertheless, they also felt his positioning needed improvement and awarded him just 4/10 for his performance.

Ouest-France wrote: “The Liverpool recruit was there wearing the number 6 shirt, but positioned as the deep anchor of the five-man defence.

“He took responsibility for the initial build-up play and played the role of a leader, exemplified by a major intervention in the 45th minute. He was drawn out of position for the second goal, but he consistently stepped up for a long time despite the circumstances.”

RFI

Likewise, RFI criticised Jacquet for his involvement in the second goal and was particularly damning when assessing Rennes’ defending overall, describing them as “scrappy.”

RFI wrote: “It took Marseille 75 seconds to score at the start. It took them just 31 seconds to double their lead after the restart. Gouiri found Greenwood racing through an undefended inside-right channel. The English attacker advanced into the box and slotted into the far corner.

“New Liverpool recruit Jacquet, who had been caught upfield, gestured in bewilderment at his fellow Rennes defenders. Rennes did not learn.

“In the 82nd minute of a scrappy match, Greenwood again found a huge space in the same area. This time he squared to substitute Aubameyang who scored.”