Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton was very impressed with the performance of Liverpool loanee Jarell Quansah on Saturday, despite his side losing 5-1.
Speaking to The Gas’ official website, as relayed by the Liverpool Echo, the former professional hailed praise on the 20-year-old, who made his debut at centre-back.
“We learned two things today, we need to get some bodies in some quality,” Barton said.
“I thought young Jarell Quansah was superb, didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
“The team conceded five and you’ll always ask questions around the defence, but I thought for a 19-year-old making his debut, I thought he was superb.”
After signing his first professional deal with the Reds in February 2021, Quansah will spend the rest of the season on loan with the League One club.
Barton praises Liverpool loanee Quansah
Having joined Liverpool at the age of five, Quansah has been at the club ever since.
Captain of the Reds’ UEFA Youth League U19’s team, the youngster has been named on the bench for Jurgen Klopp’s first-team on three occasions. However, the 20-year-old is yet to make his debut for the senior side.
Consequently, a loan spell in League One will prove to be an invaluable experience for his development.
Clearly rated by everyone on Merseyside, Quansah will now have to adjust to the speed and physicality of men’s football.
Previously hailed by Liverpool academy coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson as a ‘man-mountain’, the defender certainly has the attributes needed to excel at the senior level.
Therefore, after his impressive debut, hopefully Quansah will receive regular playing time at Rovers – as he continues to develop as a player for the future.