Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah says that his half-time removal during Arne Slot’s first game as manager was “a kick up the backside.”
Quansah, 21, was cruelly hooked by Slot as the Reds were drawing 0-0 away to newly-promoted Ipswich Town at the break. The England youth international was replaced by Ibrahima Konate and Liverpool finally ran out 2-0 winners in their Premier League start.
Quansah hasn’t played in the Reds’ two games since but bounced back when playing for England under-21s on Friday in a goalless draw with Northern Ireland. Speaking after earning man-of-the-match in the Euro 2025 qualifier, the centre-back was asked about Slot’s choice to sub him, replying: “It’s a long season, I have the whole season to show myself.
“It’s given me a kick up the backside, you could say. I’ll keep working on the training pitch and that’s all it is. It’s never a nice feeling as a player to be subbed off at half-time but at the end of the day it was the gaffer’s choice and it was the right one. “It definitely 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.”
Quansah racked up an impressive 33 starts in all competitions last season but is now fighting with Konate and Joe Gomez for a starting place alongside captain Virgil van Dijk, who hass helped the youngster bed in. “The way Virgil talks you through the game, I’ve never heard anyone like it,” Quansah stated.
“He might bother 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 information so we can be the best players we can. If I want to start for Liverpool, I need to be one of the best centre backs in Europe.
