'Outstanding' Liverpool player looks back to his old self after dominating CL display against Lille - opinion

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Liverpool saw off the challenge of Lille on Tuesday as they made it seven wins from seven in this season’s Champions League.

The Reds had been immaculate heading into the game at Anfield and remain perfect following the final whistle.

Given their record – and that they were on home turf – Liverpool had always been favourites to end Lille’s four-month unbeaten run.

However, Arne Slot’s need to rotate his Liverpool squad did open the door for the French side to capitalise on.

Perhaps the biggest surprise from Slot’s starting XI was the inclusion of centre-back Jarell Quansah.

Quansah has had a poor season on the back of an excellent breakout campaign last year. But after being named in the team for his full Champions League debut, the 21-year-old sent out a timely reminder of his qualities.

Jarell Quansah back to his best against Lille

Part of the reason Quansah was named to start on Tuesday is that Liverpool do have some worries at centre-back.

Joe Gomez is out for a little while still, while Ibrahima Konate worried supporters after claiming that he is not fully fit after returning from a knee problem.

“I still have pain, but I play with painkillers, so it's enough for me to play,” Konate said on Monday. “I don't have to think about it [being a long-term problem], because the pain will just go away eventually.”

Without Gomez – and with Quansah struggling to get going – Slot has had to keep on playing Konate, risking the Frenchman breaking down again.

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However, after delivering comfortably his best display of the season against Lille, Quansah showed why Gary McAllister called him ‘outstanding‘ and why Slot should perhaps put a little more trust in him.

The Liverpool academy graduate has looked bereft of confidence recently, but the old swagger was back on Tuesday as Quansah sent out a message that he is back and more than ready to contribute.

Quansah takes his chance

With Konate rested, it felt a little like make or break for Quansah on Tuesday. Another poor performance on a very big stage could have damaged his confidence even further.

Instead, the youngster stepped up to the challenge. Faced with reported Liverpool target Jonathan David, Quansah never looked like becoming the bag of nerves he so often has been this season.

It helps to have Virgil van Dijk commanding things beside him, of course. But Quansah was every bit as good as his captain against the Ligue 1 side.

And in a short career littered with incredible milestones, this was another for Jarell to tick off the list. A first start in the Champions League against in-form opposition and he stood up to it brilliantly.

One day in the not to distant future Gomez will be fit again and Konate will be pain free. But until that moment, Quansah has again underlined that he has a big part to play for Slot.