Liverpool may have solved one of Jurgen Klopp’s biggest problems for free
Bournemouth v Liverpool: Pictures
Liverpool’s centre-back problem might have been solved without Jurgen Klopp spending a penny thanks to the emergence of Jarell Quansah. The 20-year-old sensation has been excellent in his first season of senior football at Anfield, continuing a fantastic start under Klopp with a top-quality display against Bournemouth.
The Reds boss admitted he was ‘wowed’ by Quansah’s performance in difficult conditions at the Vitality Stadium. A much-changed Liverpool team emerged with a 3-1 Carabao Cup victory – but Quansah was the standout star.
Klopp praised the defender’s performance, with the academy graduate showing outstanding composure despite rain thundering down on the south coast. His 97 passes were the most attempted by any Liverpool player, and he completed 89 per cent of them.
“That’s the other thing which was obvious: that he was really good,” Klopp said of Quansah’s performance after the game.
“In these circumstances, wow. So many difficult balls to judge, to estimate, where is it coming down? He did really well. On the ball, Caoimhin [Kelleher] thought, ‘give him the ball quite a lot and let’s see what he can do’. He did really well there. Yes, top game, absolutely.”
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Having returned from a positive loan spell with Bristol Rovers last season, Quansah was handed his Liverpool debut in August. The England youth international has gone on to make seven appearances for the Merseyside outfit this term.
It comes with Klopp struggling with consistency at centre-back. Virgil van Dijk is finally rekindling his best form after a disappointing campaign in 2022-23, but he has lacked a partner capable of staying fit and playing well.
Van Dijk has been partnered by Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez at times this season. Matip could depart when his contract expires at the end of the season, while neither Konate nor Gomez are robust enough to play an entire season alongside the Dutchman.
A place has therefore opened up for Quansah to prove that he can be the regular partner to Van Dijk in the Premier League. The youngster, born in Warrington, has a high ceiling and possesses the physical and technical qualities needed to become a top Premier League centre-back.
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Quansah may even be the long-term successor to Van Dijk, who turns 33 next summer. His speed and quality in possession mean he shares a similar profile to the Liverpool captain.
The Reds have been linked with signing a new centre-back either in January or in the summer transfer window ahead of the 2024-25 season. Klopp may still do so – Matip will likely leave while Gomez was linked with an exit in the previous window.
But in Quansah, Klopp has an excellent defensive option and the latest academy graduate to play regularly in the Liverpool first-team.
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