Jurgen Klopp’s leaving Liverpool will have an impact on the club for so many different reasons.
Of course, first and foremost, Klopp is a wonderful football manager. One of the best around, in fact. Take his experience, heart and tactical intelligence out of any side and they’d quickly feel the effects of it. Liverpool will surely be no exception to that.
Perhaps on of the most underrated features of the 56-year-old’s management is his willingness to throw young players in. This season has been a great example of that, Conor Bradley and James McConnell the latest to feel the benefit.
But that pair aside, the young man to really standout this season has been Jarell Quansah. The 21-year-old has quickly become a bona fide member of the first-team squad. And speaking to liverpoolfc.com about Quansah, Ibrahima Konate said that what Klopp has done with the centre-back has been pure ‘magic.’
“He’s very confident, and I think this is the magic as well of Jurgen and how he introduced him to the squad,” Konate gushes. “He came with the squad for a big game, I remember he came on at Newcastle [in August] in a situation that was not easy, but he did well and this gave him big confidence.
“He’s very good on the ball as well, and I’m very happy to have him in our squad. It’s a big thing for him, I cannot imagine, and I know he wants to work and to be better, and I just hope for the best for him.”
Konate praises Klopp effect
Obviously, not all of the credit for Quansah’s emergence should fall at the feet of Jurgen.
The club’s academy staff deserve immense praise for nurturing him through the club since the age of five. That’s a long old journey.
Begrudgingly, credit should also perhaps be afforded to Joey Barton, who gave him an opportunity at Bristol Rovers last season.
Most of all, Quansah himself has been the architect of his own rise to the top. It’s one thing to be given chances, it’s another entirely to take them.
And in fairness to him, Quansah has absolutely snatched everything that’s come his way. The England U21 star has now played 17 times this season, and he’s pretty much been excellent every time. That’s the sign of a really special player.
But, ultimately, no matter how well he has done, the onus has been on Klopp to keep trusting him. He’s done that.
With the January window open and Joel Matip injured, lesser managers may have felt the urge to dip into the transfer market. But not Jurgen. He knew that the answer lied within, and with Quansah.
Now, Jarell can surely look forward to being part of the squad for years to come. He’ll no doubt be disheartened himself that the man who truly put faith in him is leaving in the near future. Thankfully, Quansah, with Klopp’s help, has carved out a reputation that would make any new manager a fool not to use him. Magic indeed.
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