Jeremy Jacquet is our first Liverpool defender to consider if you want to keep the cost down. At \u00a35.1m, he costs \u00a30.3m less than Ronald Araujo and \u00a31.3m less than Virgil van Dijk. His playing-time record and defensive contribution rate make that saving worth taking seriously.<\/p>\n
For a new purchase, we would reassess after Arsenal at home in GW9. You can then decide whether Liverpool’s GW10\u201314 fixtures suit the weeks you need a defender. Van Dijk offers the stronger playing-time record if you have room for \u00a36.4m; Araujo needs a clearer reason for the extra spend over Jacquet.<\/p>\n
Jacquet has averaged 85.3 minutes per match, with 9.37 defensive contributions per 90. Araujo has averaged 61.6 minutes per match and 7.85 defensive contributions per 90. Neither average promises a future start, but Jacquet has given owners more playing time so far.<\/p>\n
The attacking numbers offer little reason to pay up for Araujo. Jacquet has 0.07 expected goal involvements per 90 (xGI\/90), compared with Araujo’s 0.02. Both rates are low, so we would buy either for the defensive role and budget fit rather than an expectation of regular attacking returns.<\/p>\n
Araujo has the lower expected goals conceded rate: 0.97 xGC\/90 against Jacquet’s 1.16. That deserves a place in the comparison, but the players have spent different amounts of time on the pitch. We would not treat it as proof that choosing Araujo gives you a better chance of a clean sheet in the next match.<\/p>\n
Our lean is Jacquet when choosing between the two at current prices. Fresh selection news could change that call. Paying another \u00a30.3m makes more sense if you can identify a role or playing-time advantage that the current record does not show.<\/p>\n
Van Dijk has averaged 90.0 minutes per match. That is the strongest record of the three, alongside 9.75 defensive contributions per 90. His 1.20 xGC\/90 and 0.05 xGI\/90 do not establish a large expected-performance advantage over Jacquet.<\/p>\n
At \u00a36.4m, we would choose Van Dijk when you can afford the premium and place a high value on his playing-time record. You still need to check availability and selection news; a historical average cannot guarantee his next start.<\/p>\n
For a tighter budget, Jacquet leaves \u00a31.3m available elsewhere. Compare what you gain from that saving with the extra playing-time confidence you want from Van Dijk before committing to either player.<\/p>\n
Liverpool’s schedule after Arsenal includes three away matches in five:<\/p>\n