Jarell Quansah: Liverpool’s Rising Star
There have been so many players that have come and gone at Anfield, that were once destined to be the next big thing or the eventual successor to which ever current Liverpool star was at the club in that period. In terms of defenders, Martin Kelly, Andre Wisdom, Sebastián Coates, Tiago Ilori, Danny Wilson, Nat Phillips, and Rhys Williams, are all recent examples of assets that failed to live up to their early promise, at Liverpool anyway. From the above, only the 51-cap Uruguayan international, Coates, has reached the level that was once hoped, though only after he departed Merseyside.
Quansah’s Impact at Anfield
Regarding those that came through the Liverpool youth system, the last prospects of note were probably Andre Wisdom and Martin Kelly, who despite having their moments, eventually dropped away from first team reckoning, before finally leaving. I do not believe there was ever huge expectation placed on the shoulders of either Phillips or Williams, as their lack of pace was always going to restrict their chances of becoming first team players within a Jürgen Klopp team. Despite the pair having a tremendous run in the side (a couple of years back), that was a period created by extreme circumstances, as the German manager’s entire list of senior defenders fell afoul of injury.
Cannot be underestimated what a find Jarell Quansah has been this season.
Really does feel like a genuinely strong squad option moving forward, rather than a Nat Phillips or Rhys Williams, with all due respect to them.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) November 30, 2023
Coming into this 2023/24, there was a clamour from the fanbase to see the recruitment team spend beyond the midfield area, as questions marks surrounding the fitness (and form) of both Joe Gomez and Joël Matip had people worried about what may become. In recent days, however, Jürgen Klopp has stated that they always knew what they had, which was in reference to the outstanding breakout player of this season, Jarell Quansah.
How Good Is Jarell Quansah…?
Every single test that had been presented to the 3-cap England under 21 international, has been taken on and overcome with maturity and excellence so far this season. The early campaign reluctance to heap pressure on the 6ft 3inch centre back, does appear to be unnecessary, given the confidence that the 20-year-old exudes whenever he dons the Liverpool red. having spent his first ever senior spell on loan at League One side, Bristol Rovers, it was assumed that either another loan or an extended spell in the reserves would be forthcoming. Gently but surely, pictures and videos started to filter onto Liverpool related social media, as the summer preseason portrayed this giant young man as someone to keep an eye on.
🏴 Jarell Quansah completed the most passes for #LFC against LASK today (60.
He has completed the most passes on the pitch in each of his last four starts for the club now.
So composed and mature for his age. Another really impressive performance.
As Klopp said: ‘Virgil 2.0… pic.twitter.com/copkJmEZI4
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) November 30, 2023
Like many of the names mentioned above, much of the hype was dismissed as the supporters craved huge bids for the likes of Levi Colwill or Gonçalo Inácio. For this Liverpool 2.0 squad to continue to form as required, I do believe that a left sided defender is still needed, though it must now be accepted that it would be to compliment the deserved inclusion of Quansah, rather than replace him. There appears to be no flaw in the defensive game of the athletic footballer, who will be undertaking his apprenticeship under the world class wing of the world’s best defender, Virgil van Dijk.
There is still much to be learnt about the personality of the young man, which surely points to his determination to merely work and train his way through his way through his debut Premier League season. With such a small sample size to his games and multiple tests to be overcome, there must remain a degree of trepidation, though the recent injury to Joël Matip (against Fulham in the 4-3 win), means that his next round of examination is already upon him.
A few months ago, I would have been sceptical, however, now I am convinced this monstrous talent can succeed where others have failed, thereby becoming one of the few that truly makes it a Liverpool player.
