Liverpool didn’t expect me in the first team just yet – but I won’t stop until I’m one of the best in the world

Jarell Quansah, a breakthrough hero, discusses his ascent to the first team of Liverpool and the England Under-21s, his influences, and his future goals.

Although Liverpool invested £150 million in a midfield overhaul this summer, their efforts to bolster their defensive capabilities came to nothing.

Liverpool prioritized their engine-room overhaul over the rumored interest in Levi Colwill and Micky van de Ven, whom Jurgen Klopp admitted the club was considering in May for a new center-back. However, the unanticipated departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia prevented Liverpool from pursuing these players.

A decision of this nature was somewhat risky, given that they had notoriously lost all of their senior center-backs to season-ending injuries as recently as the 2020/21 campaign. However, the Reds’ investment in Jarell Quansah from their academy has insured that this move has not been in vain.

Since the beginning of the year, the 20-year-old has appeared in nine appearances for Liverpool. Prior to that, he was on loan at League One Bristol Rovers for a half-season.

After an impressive preseason, Quansah found himself playing for Klopp’s squad in the Premier League and Europa League. His promotion to the first team has been a pleasant surprise for the Reds this year, and not even his manager was initially taken aback by his development.

Furthermore, the 20-year-old is cognizant of the fact that such a transition, which he has executed deftly at Liverpool, is quite uncommon in professional football.

“That can be viewed from both perspectives, can’t you?” Quansah disclosed this information to the ECHO and other media agencies while on England Under-21 international duty. “The word’surprised’ may be intriguing, but I believe Klopp means that I wasn’t exactly where I was supposed to be at that moment.

“It should come as no surprise, as I have previously trained with them and I am not a particularly skilled player. I believe it was the promptness with which it arrived and my responsiveness to the challenges that were presented to me. It wouldn’t have been a surprise in the sense of whether or not he believed I would make a competent player, since I’ve demonstrated that in training sessions in the past.

“It is probably not what one would expect to go from a loan at Bristol Rovers to the first team immediately and perform as well as I did.” That is the origin of the astonishment.”

Although he may appear to observers as though Quansah has materialized suddenly, he has spent years preparing for this moment.

The youngster eagerly followed Liverpool’s 2020/21 campaign after realizing that an additional injury could have led to his own early promotion from the Academy. This is just one of innumerable instances in this interview where he exhibits a level of maturity that transcends his years.

“I have never had a time frame within myself,” he stated. “I never believe that if you give me two years, this will happen.” It has always been a fact that individuals are tossed in and that anything can occur at any time. Because I’ve always been prepared for that, it no longer astonishes me to the same degree.

“Perhaps at the age of sixteen, I made mental preparations.” Clearly not intending to play at the age of sixteen, but cognizant of the fact that anything ludicrous could occur at that age.

“What helped tremendously was the season in which we lost three center-backs due to injury: Rhys Williams, Nat Phillips, and Ozan Kabak.” I believe I was 17 or 18 years old at the time, but I was the fourth or fifth candidate.

“I was thinking, ‘I could be somewhere if something were to happen to them.'” I realised at that moment that I must maximise every opportunity.”

Conversely, Quansah’s fervor for his vocation is self-evident, as he disclosed that he has consistently scrutinized videos depicting the Reds’ defense and other international backlines in an effort to better his own abilities.

“During my youth, I frequently observed the older generation in action,” he explained. “Observing the manner in which various nations defend fascinates me. In Spain, I consistently followed Sergio Ramos. I frequently regarded Bonucci while in Italy. On occasion, I would embark on a frenzy and observe any South American defenders. Particularly Argentine, as I adore their defensive style.

“They do indeed defend in a different manner.” Such as Cristian Romero and similar players. It is clear to them how much it means to them. That experience abroad, learning various methods of defense and the like, would be incredible.

“In that manner do I perceive fellow competitors. With regard to combining all components into one, I am unable to identify a singular formula that is optimal. It would be satisfactory if you could have a small amount of everything.

Quansah further stated, “I am a good learner when I observe players, so I will simply concentrate on our defenders even when observing the games from a distance.” During training, I will simply observe their actions and attend to their speech; therefore, it is quite comprehensive.

“Virgil, doesn’t he, makes everything appear so effortless? Even when you are in his immediate vicinity, he maintains the same behavior. It’s essentially continuous learning.

“They are essentially the most world-class players, so anything and everything I can learn from them is a plus, and hopefully I can shape it into one; that is precisely what I’m aiming to achieve.

“I used to frequently view recordings. During my time in the Under-21s, that constituted the majority of my activities. Although I approached them directly, it was always a possibility; one simply needed to approach the appropriate individuals in order to obtain it.

“In the past, I obtained high-definition footage as opposed to television footage so that you could see precisely how the back-line moves and a small portion of everything.” I was constantly observing. Certain participants may fail to grasp that.

“Aside from myself, I cannot speak for anyone else. However, I learn by merely observing competitors. This is also how you acquire a small amount of experience, as these individuals have participated in 400-500 games at the highest level.

“It would be foolish to refrain from watching them.” That is the way in which I perceive it. It is akin to squandering a valuable resource; I could not do that, and I could not bear to live with myself if I did that.”

Quansah has progressed rapidly from merely observing Virgil van Dijk’s footage to playing alongside him. However, not only the Dutchman has assisted the young defender in acclimating to the Liverpool first team swiftly.

“The academy’s younger players, including Trent and Harvey (Elliott and Curtis Jones), have undoubtedly been of great assistance to me,” he disclosed. “Of course, the center-backs have also been of great assistance to me, given that they have all been around it for several years.”

“It’s always a plus when they have a thorough understanding of the gaffer and are able to impart information that they have had to learn and endure over the course of their few years there.”

“I believe they can tell by the way I conduct myself that I am not the type to be overawestruck by it. Generally, I maintain composure so that they do not perceive me with apprehension and conclude, “He’s going to be a nervous wreck here”; therefore, they do not require my solace (during games).

“I never require someone to place their arm around me and instruct me to “do this” or “play your game.” Occasionally, they have; perhaps some athletes do it for themselves. Nevertheless, I do not believe I require that.”

Consequently, after three months as a first-team player for Liverpool, does Quansah recall any particularly insightful counsel from his instructors or teammates?

“I assure you, it is most likely not anything tactical or similar,” he stated. “They simply say, ‘Enjoy it.'” It may seem obvious and trite, but it is surprisingly easy for inexperienced players to simply not play their game, particularly centers.

“To play safely and refrain from doing what others do at higher levels simply because you’re playing in front of a larger audience or the difficulty has increased.” Simply having them say “enjoy it” will help you feel slightly more relaxed.

“While I am already at a state of relaxation, anxieties remain, so I can simply play freely when I am told to do so. Errors are inevitable; therefore, I need not be concerned about the possibility of committing one.

“I am unable to recall the last athlete who completed an impeccable career devoid of any errors. “Uncertainty is inevitable, and the best way to learn is through experience; therefore, all I can do is have fun and play the best football possible.”

Although Quansah’s abrupt promotion to senior status may have taken some by surprise, he is not surpassing his own anticipated performance. Nine appearances for Liverpool and a debut for England Under-21s against Serbia last month are only the beginning for a player who has the highest regard for himself and operates with unwavering confidence.

“I believe my lifelong goal has been to achieve victory,” he stated. “I have a hatred for defeat ever since I was a child.” I used to shed tears whenever I lost. Even if I lose, the weekend is ruined and the like. Therefore, I believe it emerges from that location.

“When you consider your own capabilities, there is no purpose in establishing objectives that you believe you are unable to achieve. It is advisable to establish a goal that may appear unattainable at first glance, but one never knows where it might lead.

“Therefore, the current season has failed to meet expectations, as Jarell Quansah has not yet been regarded as one of the world’s greatest players.” Nobody claims he is an elite center-back, and nobody claims he is anything but.

“Therefore, I have no reason to hang on to what I have and say, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ve played nine games for Liverpool.'” I will not be considered at least one of the best players in the Premier League until then. “That was never the intended outcome.”