Jurgen Klopp calls up ‘excellent’ young centre-back to travel to Germany with Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp has included promising centre-back Jarell Quansah in Liverpool’s pre-season squad this week.

The Reds touched down in Germany earlier on Saturday, as they prepare to ramp up their off-season. They’ll spend the next 10 days or so in Klopp’s homeland, playing two friendlies along the way.

And according to the Liverpool Echo, there’s a few interesting names amongst the travelling party. Of course, the big news was that Fabinho – on the verge of a move to Al Ittihad – was left behind, while Jordan Henderson was aboard the plane.

With Henderson especially bringing so much negativity to proceedings, there were still plenty of positives to focus on. Pre-season is always great for seeing the young players get a chance and this year should be no different. Along with Quansah, academy stars Callum Scanlon, Lewis Koumas and James McConnell also made the cut.

Meanwhile, goalkeepers Marcelo Pitaluga, Vitezslav Jaros and Fabian Mrozek will all be present, too.

Finally, in terms of youngsters, the relatively more experienced Bobby Clark, Melkamu Frauendorf, Conor Bradley and Ben Doak will be in action as well.

Quansah set for pre-season chance

If Quansah is going to make something of his time at Liverpool, then it feels like it could be now or never.

With the club yet to make a breakthrough in their search for a new fifth-choice centre-back next season, there is potentially a spot open. Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton called the young defender ‘excellent’ for his displays on loan last year [Bristol World]. Despite some disciplinary struggles at the end of the campaign, he’s on a positive trajectory.

But, now 20, Quansah is not the youngest in the pack anymore. He has to show Klopp what he can do over the next 10 days.

If he doesn’t then it won’t necessarily be curtains for him at Anfield. Another loan could follow this season and if he does well there, then you never know.

But, in reality, Liverpool will have brought in another centre-back or two by this time next year. Quansah can’t wait around to make his mark.

Klopp has already shown that he isn’t averse to chucking players who catch his eye in pre-season into the senior squad. Stefan Bajcetic had never played in the first team 12 months ago, for example. The Spaniard then excelled on the tour to the Far East and hasn’t looked back since. 19 Liverpool appearances later, he looks set for a big year in 2023/24.

It would be tough for Quansah to make the same impact, but it is possible. He seems to have the talent to do so, he now has to go out and prove it. Big chance for the young man!