Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has come on leaps and bounds in recent times, with the youngster now an Anfield regular.
A product of the club’s youth academy, the 21-year-old now boasts 33 senior appearances, all of which came under Jurgen Klopp last season.
He was one of the first eight players to report back for pre-season duty, with Quansah looking ‘exhausted’ after an endurance test led by Arne Slot.
The new manager will be leeping a close eye on the defender’s progress over the coming weeks, with the new season almost ready to get underway.
It remains to be seen, however, exactly what role Quansah will play under the Dutchman, with the centre-back still needing to improve in many areas.
Jarell Quansah waxes lyrical over Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
Such improvement will come with more game time and more experience, with Quansah fortunate to be able to look up to many of his Liverpool teammates for advice.
One player that stands out more than most for the young defender is captain Virgil van Dijk, who Quansah often played alongside last season.
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“He’s the best centre-back in the world,” said Quansah, as quoted by the Mirror. “Having a role model like that who I’ve always looked up to is massive for me.
“Virgil is a Rolls-Royce – he’s everything I want to be as a centre-back. I can take so much from him. I’ve learned so much, not just from Virg but from the entire backline.”
Who will partner Virgil van Dijk under Arne Slot?
Van Dijk is, of course, the number one centre-back at Liverpool, with the Reds captain set for another big season.
But many fans will be wondering who Slot will partner the Dutch defender with, with Quansah perhaps not yet ready to be used in every single match.
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Ibrahima Konate meanwhile, who has just returned to pre-season training, has often underwhelmed at the back.
Joe Gomez is another option, but fellow defender Sepp van den Berg is among four players who could leave Liverpool late in the window.
If the latter was to exit Anfield, Slot could look to bring in a new central defender, particularly with Joel Matip having left earlier this summer.
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