21-year-old defender Jarell Quansah got his big break in Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge. Last season, he made 33 appearances throughout the Premier League and Europa League, performing so consistently that it is hard to believe that he has little experience in the top flight.
The young defender, who is regularly competing with French defender Ibrahima Konate this season, started the opening game of the season against Ipswich Town. However, he was ordered off the bench at half-time and his frustration was caught on camera.
Reflecting on the incident, the England U-21 defender said that the manager made the right decision at the time, but that he had to work hard in training and be ready to show his best performance at the next opportunity.
“It’s a long season, I have the whole season to prove myself.”
“It’s given me a kick up the backside, you could say. I’ll keep grafting on the training pitch and that’s all it is.”
“It’s never a nice feeling as a footballer to be subbed off at half-time but at the end of the day it was the gaffer’s decision but it was the right one.”
“It obviously worked because we won, so I can only focus on myself, improve myself, kick forward and move on to the next game. I’m staying ready for whenever it comes.”
The centre-backs include Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, one of the best defenders in the world and leader of the final line.And the 33-year-old centre-back has given various pieces of advice to the 21-year-old defender.
With Konate and England defender Joe Gomez also waiting in the wings, the academy defender revealed that he has to become one of the best centre-backs in Europe if he is to grab a starting place at Anfield, a high aim.
“He might annoy us at times but it’s all for the greater good.”
“With all the experience he has and the situations he’s been in, it’s only fair that he can share his knowledge so we can be the best players we can.”
“I’ll have to be one of the best centre-halves in Europe if I’m starting (for Liverpool).”
“It’s always been the goal since I was young, I’ve always wanted to be the best in the world in my position and so I’m striving for that and it doesn’t matter how long it takes, I’m not going to get too disheartened if it’s not 2026 (World Cup), I know what I need to do and hopefully I keep improving.”