Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Liverpool youngster Jarell Quansah is ready to supplement the first team this season.
Quansah was impressive during the Reds’ summer friendlies, featuring in every game prior to the new campaign.
And after news that Ibrahima Konate has picked up an injury today, Jurgen Klopp told his pre-Newcastle press conference that he’s counting on the ‘super talented’ 20-year-old.
“In an ideal world we have six, seven, eight centre-halves and we are covered for absolutely everything. We know we need to be lucky with injuries, we have no doubt about that,” said the Red manager.
“I have no doubt about the quality of the boys that we have. We have Jarell Quansah, a super talented player as well. So, in this moment we are covered. But it’s not dreamland where you can be prepared for every situation.
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“We will try to do our absolute best to have a squad next week where we can react on pretty much everything. Is that possible? We will see.
As good as Quansah may be, that’s hopefully an admission that Liverpool are still active in the transfer market.
Quansah heading for Reds role
With Konate injured, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip would look the most likely candidates to step into the breach.
Beyond that pair though, Klopp does have a couple of other options.
Quansah is perhaps now next on the list, with hope that Nat Phillips could still get a move away from the club before next Friday.
Ideally though, Liverpool can’t be relying on either if they want to win silverware this season. Quansah was playing League One football last season while Phillips is a steady, but below-par player.
So, instead, it’s now pretty vital that the Reds do everything they can to get a player through the door over the next seven days.
As things stand, there are plenty of names being thrown about. Arthur Theate is one who came to light last week, while Piero Hincapie seems to be the flavour of these last few days. Both are left-footed and with high potential.
Quansah may well become a serviceable option for Liverpool in time. But for now, he shouldn’t be chucked in at the deep end.