With just one game of the season left to play, Liverpool can start to assess how they’ve coped over the campaign.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Reds have been so much better than they were last year. Should they beat Wolves on Sunday, they’ll finish on 82 points. That would be 15 more than in 2022/23.
Obviously, some have helped them reach that tally more than others. If we do end up seeing a player of the season award handed out by Liverpool, it’s likely to go to Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah or Alexis Mac Allister.
Other members of the first-team squad have played their part too, though. Several have come out of nowhere to feature heavily for Jurgen Klopp.
And speaking after Monday’s 3-3 draw with Aston Villa, Harvey Elliott hailed the displays of one such player.
Harvey Elliott hails Jarell Quansah’s season
Elliott himself can be pleased with the progress he’s made this season. The 21-year-old has kicked on to become a key part of Klopp’s squad.
After claiming another assist against Villa, Elliott has three goal contributions in his last two games. As Alan Shearer said after the recent win over Tottenham Hotspur, the No.19 now looks ‘comfortable’ at this level.
If Elliott is looking at home though, then so too is fellow 21-year-old Jarell Quansah. It was the academy graduate who got on the end of Elliott’s free-kick at Villa Park to put the Reds 3-1 up.
It was Quansah’s first Premier League goal and one that drew comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo. And speaking to LFCTV after Monday’s game, Elliott raved about the centre-back’s level this season.
“Jarell has been amazing throughout this whole season,” said the England U21 star. “His first proper season in the Premier League and the way he has played and the way he has conducted himself has just been top drawer.
“No-one deserves it more than him. When the ball hit the net I was delighted and he deserved every moment of it. You can see in his passion and in his expression, he’s been working hard to have a moment like that, especially in front of an away crowd. It’s just an amazing feeling for him and I’m so happy.”
Is Jarell Quansah Liverpool’s Young Player of the Season
In a year when the youngsters really helped Liverpool, it is hard to choose a Young Player of the Season.
If you’re going off criteria such as a ’21 and under’ rule, then Elliott himself would still come into consideration. He’s had another great year. There’s a debate to be had over who would deserve it more.
Conor Bradley deserves a mention, too. The Northern Irishman stepped up unbelievably in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence and the future looks bright for him.
A word too for the likes of Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns who have all shown plenty of promise.
But, for our money, it has to be Quansah. Elliott is right, the defender has barely put a foot wrong in 33 first-team appearances. His goal last night was just rewards for a quite remarkable season. Much more to come, too.
