‘Fantastic’ 20-year-old Liverpool defender is doing something more often than Virgil van Dijk this season

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At Liverpool, and in world football – to speak frankly – Virgil van Dijk sets the benchmark for defenders. He is by far and away the best defender in world football, and continues to hit new heights.

This season the Liverpool captain has been flawless and the Reds’ defensive numbers reflect that. Jurgen Klopp’s side has conceded the fewest goals (18) in the Premier League, and have kept the most clean-sheets (7) while losing the fewest games (1).

But while Van Dijk’s contribution has been pivotal, it is important to note this has been a team effort. All of Liverpool’s defenders have shone this season including a surprise package in academy graduate Jarell Quansah.

Jarell Quansah catching the eye

Quansah almost came out of nowhere in pre-season to impress everyone at the club with the way he so effortlessly slotted into the side.

And he’s done the same during the regular season so far as well. Every time Klopp has called upon him, the Liverpool defender has not disappointed. In fact, he just keeps getting better and better.

Recently, Van Dijk described Quansah as a ‘fantastic talent’ after Liverpool’s victory over Burnley and asserted that he has continued to improve ever since he made his debut for the Reds.

That’s really encouraging feedback from someone who Quansah can learn so much from. Impressively, though, there is one side to Quansah’s game where he is already doing more than Van Dijk for Liverpool this season.

Out of centre-backs in the Premier League this season who have played at least 250 minutes, Quansah ranks in second place for the most passes per 90 as per Wyscout. Quansah averages 82.7 passes per 90 so far this season, which is only trumped by Brighton’s Lewis Dunk who averages 85.16.

Meanwhile, Van Dijk ranks in only 12th place averaging 64.59 passes per 90.

Quansah’s ability on the ball has definitely been his best asset so far. Out of the last eight games he has started for Liverpool, he’s completed the most passes on the pitch seven times. The only time he didn’t was when he was subbed off against Crystal Palace early in the second-half but he still completed the most passes while he was on the pitch in that game as well.

Step by step the 20-year-old keeps improving for Liverpool, and it’s encouraging that in some metrics he is already surpassing the player who sets the benchmark in Van Dijk.