Liverpool are heading back to England on Sunday after a resounding win against Manchester United.
The Reds faced their arch rivals in South Carolina to round off what has been a successful summer tour for them.
Arne Slot has now taken charge of three official games as Liverpool head coach and his team have won them all.
In doing so, the Dutchman has impressed his fellow Premier League managers. Mikel Arteta praised Slot after being beaten 2-1 on Thursday, while Erik ten Hag gave a positive verdict on Liverpool’s performance against his side as well.
Through it all, Slot has been missing many big names from his Liverpool squad. But the lack of stars on show has allowed others to come through and shine instead.
Gary McAllister hails Jarell Quansah
Liverpool’s starting XI against Man United included the returning Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch.
Konate needs a big season after tailing off towards the end of the last term. The Frenchman lost his place to the man who started alongside him in Columbia; Jarell Quansah.
Although Konate was the more senior of the two defenders, though, it was Quansah who looked the more composed.
The 21-year-old has started all three of Liverpool’s games so far, earning rave reviews from former Reds midfielder Gary McAllister.
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McAllister was amazed by Quansah against Arsenal and speaking to The Official Liverpool FC Podcast after the win over United, the 59-year-old said the centre-back had impressed him again.
Quansah was instrumental in Liverpool’s second goal, lofting a deliberate, delicate ball forward for Mohamed Salah to run onto and set up Curtis Jones. And it was that pass which drew praise from McAllister.
“I think Quansah’s pass up the side here to find Mo Salah in the build up to Curtis’ goal was outstanding,” raved the pundit. “He could easily have just played it forward, booted it in behind but he just curled it up the side.
“I think he’s been faultless,” McAllister added. “He’s been impeccable right across all the games. He’s been class, he’s a class act.”
Jarell Quansah growing in importance
It is perhaps unfair to judge Konate and Quansah against Sunday’s performance alone. The academy graduate is much more prepared for the new season having been training under Slot since day one.
However, the displays of the two players were interesting nevertheless.
While Quansah shone yet again, Konate did struggle a touch. One or two errant passes into midfield would have been punished by United on another day.
There is said to be a belief at Liverpool that Slot can get the best out of Konate yet again. But he’s not there yet.
Quansah, by contrast, more and more looks absolutely at home in a Liverpool XI. With the Premier League’s opener less than two weeks away, you’d have to imagine that the shirt is his for now. And rightly so.
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