In the summer of 2023, no one would have predicted that Jarell Quansah would keep Ibrahima Konate on the sidelines until the end of the season and to be called up to the England first team.
Jurgen Klopp was the first to admit that Liverpool’s season would have fallen apart without the kids, and Quansah has been at the center of a truly magical campaign for the young academics.
Before the ball was kicked in anger in the 2023/24 season, the centre-back had never played for Liverpool’s first team and would have been an unknown entity to most of the Reds.
The second half of the 2022/23 season. spent time on loan at Bristol Rovers in League One before quickly settling in at Anfield, securing his place in the senior set-up.
Jarell Quansah, 2023/24
Started: 27 (All Competitions)
Included as a replacement: 6
Unused pad: 21
Objectives: 3
Assists: 3
Overall Season Rating: 8.28
Seize the moment
An opportunity for a pre-season eye quickly turned into a debut just three games into the campaign, Virgil van Dijk’s red card at Newcastle being the trigger.
He partnered Joe Gomez at the back in the closing exchanges, prompting Klopp to say he was “a real talent” when speaking after the match.
Then 20 years old, his cameo may have been brief, but Quansah impressed with his maturity and composure, traits that stayed with him throughout the season.
A full Wolves debut a few weeks later was a sign of Klopp’s confidence in the youngster, and he was soon coined ‘Virgil 2.0’ – a big label to live up to, but a clear recognition of his talent.
The manager was as surprised by Quansah’s rise as anyone, telling reporters: “If you had asked me in pre-season (whether) he would have been this good, I would have been surprised.
“But since then I’ve seen him every day and I’m not surprised anymore. It’s great to have a boy from our own academy with that potential and quality.”
After some early excitement, the England centre-back had to wait a while to turn occasional starts into consistent game time – but he has already exceeded expectations.
A goal against Union in the Europa League and a brilliant assist against West Ham in the Carabao Cup were signs of his threat in the second third of the pitch, but it was at the back where he continued to impress.
One outing that left an impression was the trip to Bournemouth in the cup, despite the driving rain and brutal wind, Quansah proved remarkable for his efficiency.
He finished the match with an 89 per cent passing accuracy and 114 touches – the most of any player on the pitch – and left Klopp saying: “Really good game, wow. He loved it.”
Unafraid of tackling or taking on the Premier League’s top strikers knowing he would be a target, the academy graduate took his chances, first when Van Dijk was ruled out and after Joel Matip injured his ACL.
Valuable lessons
“He is progressing, learning and wanting to do that too. When he continues to do that, we’ll see what the future holds for him, but it looks pretty bright,” Van Dijk said in December.
Learning from one of the best in the business, Quansah will know his debut season won’t be without its bumps – ones that will shape him into a better player for the future.
The league trip to Old Trafford will be an obvious lesson, a rare mistake he paid for after a wayward pass ended with Bruno Fernandes and eventually turned the game around.
Klopp did not blame the 21-year-old and instead offered some valuable words: “You see, as a professional footballer he will play in the Premier League and for Liverpool, and I have bad news (that) it will not be his last mistake, unfortunately.
“But that’s life. I thought he handled it extremely well and we handled it well.”
He was instrumental in winning the penalty that would have allowed the Reds to at least walk away with a point, and while it was a lesson he would have liked to have avoided, it will serve him well in the future.
Quansah was kept out of the spotlight for the next three games before starting five of the last six matches, a streak in which he scored twice in a row to push Konate to the sidelines.
New head coach to impress
Quansah is a great example of how much can change in one year.
He entered the campaign with limited senior experience and ended it by knocking out Konate – even against Man City – and earning a call-up to England’s training squad for the Euros.
Not bad for a player few had heard of 365 days ago!
The 21-year-old now forms part of the next wave of youngsters ready to make their mark, with Klopp noting how “new influences” will help further his game, with his development now in the hands of Arne Slott and Co.
With a new centre-back seemingly on the checklist of the summer transfer window, Quansah will have a different challenge ahead of him, but if we go by what we’ve already seen, he will take it all in his stride.
Best moment: The performance of Bournemouth’s best player.
Worst moment: The errant pass that allowed Bruno Fernandes to equalize at Old Trafford.
Role next season: Pushing for starts at center back.
