Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool lost against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup this past weekend.
It was a hugely exciting and entertaining game of football that was decided in added minutes of extra time. Manchester United beat Liverpool 4-3 to win the FA Cup quarter-final tie on Sunday.
Although Liverpool conceded as many as four goals at Old Trafford, the performance of Jarell Quansah stood out.
Ibrahima Konate would normally have started alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence., but his injury meant that manager Jurgen Klopp had to ask Quansah to play again.
And, as we saw on Sunday, the 21-year-old centre-back rose to the occasion. The youngster, who had a loan spell at Bristol Rovers in 2023, has been impressing in recent weeks, and against United at Old Trafford in a big game, he gave a good account of himself.
Although Quansah could have done better for Scott McTominay’s goal, he was solid at the back on other occasions and did not make any rash decisions or bad mistakes.
The youngster, who is in line to get a new contract, was involved in the first goal that Liverpool scored and looked very calm and composed under pressure.
TalkSPORT presenter Jeff Stelling and Liverpool legend Phil Thompson have been looking back on the FA Cup tie, and they have raved about Quansah.
Praise for Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah vs Manchester United
Stelling said about Quansah on talkSPORT (9:57 am, March 18, 2024): “Quansah, wow! He has been eye-openingly fantastic?”
Thompson noted: “How good was he yesterday?”
Stelling replied: “Incredible.”
Thompson added: “Honestly, his performance yesterday and he has had some wonderful performances. He is so calm.
“I did a game. It’s the academy. I watched them play one day, and I went, ‘Where has this boy been?’ He was at Bristol Rovers or something last year which toughens lads up.
“This guy is a Roll-Royce. There’s no problem. Konate not playing yesterday was not a worry to us Liverpool fans.”
My View: Do not put too much pressure on Jarell Quansah
In my opinion, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah needs to be given time and patience to grow and develop at his own pace. We have to make sure that the 21-year-old is not put under too much pressure.
Yes, Quansah is doing very well at the moment and is not fazed at the prospect of turning out for the Liverpool first team on a regular basis, but we must not forget that he is only 21 years of age.
The England Under-21 international centre-back has played a handful of matches for Liverpool. We must not overhype him, but, at the same time, we have to praise him and encourage him to progress and become a better player.
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