Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has described his half-time substitution during Arne Slot’s debut game as manager as “a kick up the backside.”
The 21-year-old was substituted at the break in Liverpool’s 0-0 draw away to newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
Quansah was replaced by Ibrahima Konaté, and Liverpool went on to secure a 2-0 victory in their Premier League opener.
Since then, Quansah has not featured in Liverpool’s subsequent two games but made a strong comeback with England Under-21s in a goalless draw against Northern Ireland on Friday.
After being named man of the match in the Euro 2025 qualifier, Quansah reflected on Slot’s decision to substitute him, saying: “It’s a long season, I have the whole season to prove myself.
“It’s given me a kick up the backside, you could say.
“I’ll keep grafting on the training pitch and that’s all it is.
“It’s never a nice feeling as a footballer to be subbed off at half-time but at the end of the day it was the gaffer’s decision and it was the right one.
“It obviously 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.”
Jarell Quansah made 33 appearances in all competitions last season, but now faces competition from Konate and Joe Gomez for a starting spot alongside captain Virgil van Dijk, who has helped the young defender settle in.
“The way Virgil talks you through the game, I’ve never heard anyone like it,” Quansah explained.
“He might annoy 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 knowledge so we can be the best players we can.
“I’ll have to be one of the best centre-halves in Europe if I’m starting (for Liverpool).”
“It’s always been the goal since I was young, I’ve always wanted to be the best in the world in my position and so I’m striving for that and it doesn’t matter how long it takes, I’m not going to get too disheartened if it’s not 2026 (World Cup), I know what I need to do and hopefully I keep improving.”
“The more and more games I play, it will come and it’s about taking that opportunity,” he added.
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