'Really liked what I saw': Slot names the Liverpool youngster who's 'getting better and better' since he joined
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Wednesday’s Carabao Cup game against Brighton saw several Liverpool youngsters get a rare run out this season.
The Reds are in the middle of a busy fixture list and as a result had to call in help from the academy at the Amex stadium.
This has been a familiar theme for years now in the Carabao Cup, with Jurgen Klopp taking things to the next level last season.
Throughout his final campaign at Anfield, Klopp helped to promote and develop a number of young players who are now regular members of the Liverpool squad.
One of those is Jarell Quansah, who broke through to make 33 appearances for the Liverpool first-team in 2023/24.
And though Quansah struggled a little against Brighton in midweek, Slot has used his latest press conference to build the 21-year-old up again.
Arne Slot praises Jarell Quansah development
It was a shame to see Quansah get in his own head after his mistake led to Brighton’s first goal on Wednesday.
The Liverpool academy graduate is a confident young man who has really looked the part over the past 12 months. However, after a difficult start to the season, Quansah’s confidence clearly dipped.
Asked about the centre-back during his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s rematch with Brighton, though, Slot argued that he was actually very happy with what he’s seen from Quansah.
“I think Jarell played a very good game, the only issue he has is if he has a moment that is not perfect it immediately leads to a goal, that’s what happened in this game,” said the Liverpool head coach. “In my opinion he was unlucky.”
READ MORE: Arne Slot explains Liverpool’s left-back battle between Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas
“He is getting better and better and better and he was already really good. It’s for him that last step maybe to make, which he’s already shown in the past he can play a game without making these small mistakes.
“He’s in an unlucky period but if I look at his overall performance I really liked what I saw.
“I wouldn’t say that he can’t play in the coming weeks,” Slot added. “He is definitely in contention.”
Jarell Quansah set for wait without a game
It has been a really frustrating start to life under Slot for Quansah. Despite starting the Dutch coach’s first game in charge, he has played just twice more since.
Having ended last season as Virgil van Dijk’s first choice partner, it’s fair to assume that Jarell was expecting a little more from this term.
Nevertheless, he is still a very young player. Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk are in great form and at just 21 Quansah should not be the main man.
As Slot says, the England U21 international is developing all the time while training with the likes of Konate and Van Dijk and against some of Liverpool’s top quality attackers.
Playing would be preferable, but after Wednesday it looks likely that Quansah may have to wait a while for his next appearance. In the meantime, he needs to get his head down and keep impressing Slot where he can.
