Arne Slot has addressed concerns about Jarell Quansah’s substitution at half-time during Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Ipswich, but has now introduced a new uncertainty regarding the young centre-back.
The decision to replace Quansah with Ibrahima Konate at half-time on Saturday drew criticism from some quarters of the media, including notable figures like Alan Shearer, Gary Neville, and Gary Lineker.
Despite the controversy, the substitution played a key role in Liverpool’s victory.
With Brentford set to visit Anfield on Sunday, Slot was asked about Quansah’s reaction to being substituted and commended his professional response.
However, Slot also disclosed that Jarell Quansah has sustained an injury during midweek and is now doubtful for the upcoming match.
“[He reacted] in the way you would expect the player to react,” Slot admitted.
“I spoke to him immediately after the game, spoke to him the day after on Sunday and at the end of that conversation he asked if he could train.
“Normally he should have done recovery, he wanted to train.
“Unfortunately I think it was Tuesday that he picked up a bit of an injury, so he couldn’t train on Wednesday.
“Let’s see if he can train today.
“But he reacted in a way every player should react.
“I don’t think there was much in it, although maybe the language was the problem because what I said was he did not lose every duel, but he lost one or two important ones.
“One of them was just before half-time and from what’s been told to me it’s like I’ve said he lost every duel.
“He did not do, we as a team lost too many duels and he lost one or two as well.
“That’s also what I said to the team the day after, that it was not about Jarell, that we as a team didn’t do well.
“But in my opinion, the only threat at that moment from Ipswich was [Liam] Delap, and he won one or two important duels.
“I was trying to get that strength out of their team by bringing in Ibou.”
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