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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk might have halted a January transfer after hailing the ‘outstanding’ Jarell Quansah. The Reds have been strongly linked with a new centre-back in the winter window but Jurgen Klopp might instead be tempted to continue developing Quansah.
The Warrington-born defender made his full Premier League debut in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Wolves last weekend. He partnered Joel Matip in central defence but is also capable of playing at full-back, giving Klopp valuable versatility.
Quansah, who spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, has played in three Premier League games this season. The 20-year-old has impressed Van Dijk, who hailed the academy graduate as ‘outstanding’.
“Well, particularly on the weekend, he was outstanding in my opinion. To play away at Wolves, difficult game, but I think for the amount of time he played he was outstanding,” Van Dijk said when asked about Quansah.
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“For him to stay cool-headed, do the job, he was very solid, someone you could build in that game and it was great to see. I was very proud and pleased for him. He should just see it as a start – but it’s a very good start.
“He has to keep going, keep working, keep learning, but he is at a great club, a great environment and a great team in my opinion, so just keep going. Hopefully he will be very important both now and in the future for the club.”
Quansah’s form could persuade Klopp and the Anfield hierarchy to evade signing a new defender in January. Liverpool have previously looked light at the back, with Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez all struggling for fitness.
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After a major midfield overhaul in the summer, it is likely that the defence will receive a similar rebuild over the next 18 months. But Quansah may have saved Liverpool tens of millions on a new centre-back with his early promising displays.
“In such a disorganised team like we were in the first half, he was the one who looked alright. It was a statement and he is really happy at the moment,” the German said after Liverpool’s victory at Wolves.
“As a team, we were not ready in the first half, obviously. They had players in the box and we weren’t there. I know these boys. You could see in Macca (Alexis Mac Allister), they didn’t have the legs.”
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