After 17 years rising up the ranks at Liverpool, Jarell Quansah has made the change to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that was proper for all events.
Quansah joined Liverpool on the age of 5, signed his first skilled contract in 2021 and made his senior debut underneath Jurgen Klopp in 2023.
The centre-back went on to play 58 instances for the membership and earned himself a Carabao Cup and Premier League winner’s medal for his efforts.
• READ: ‘I lived that dream’ – Quansah’s stylish message after Liverpool exit
The centre-back was one of many main examples in trusting younger gamers and fashioned a part of the legacy left behind by Klopp, even when his future is now to be written elsewhere.
The 22-year-old could have solely signed a brand new long-term contract in October, however his switch represents a wise transfer by the membership and the participant.
Lack of belief from the opening recreation
The 2023/24 season was Quansah’s breakout at Anfield, he made 33 appearances throughout all competitions and supplied critical competitors for constant starter Ibrahima Konate.
Earlier than that, he had by no means performed for the Liverpool first workforce and would have been an unknown entity for lots of supporters, however he fashioned a part of a memorable marketing campaign for Klopp’s children.
He seized his alternative when Virgil van Dijk was despatched off at Newcastle and after Joel Matip‘s ACL damage, and at simply 20 impressed along with his composure and front-footed nature.
There have been home windows into the expansion nonetheless to be undertaken, although, with the journey to Outdated Trafford underlining that – however he went on to begin 5 of the final six matches of 2023/24 over Konate.
The transition to Arne Slot raised questions over what function he would have underneath the Dutchman, and a begin on the opening day at Ipswich had, at first, urged he was choosing up from the place he left off.
We all know now that was not the case.
After being subbed at half time for shedding too many duels, Quansah would begin simply one of many subsequent 12 matches and that was within the League Cup win over West Ham. Message firmly delivered.
An error at Brighton in his subsequent begin, which additionally led to a substitution, compounded his woes and standing underneath the brand new head coach.
“The one situation he has for the time being is that if he has a second that’s not excellent, it instantly results in a objective,” Slot assessed on the time.
“For him, it’s that final step possibly to make, which he’s already proven previously he can play with out making these small errors.”
One didn’t wrestle to learn between the strains and sense the mistrust from Slot, who later opted for Joe Gomez as his beginning centre-back when Konate was sidelined by damage in December.
In the long run, Quansah began simply 13 instances final season and solely 4 got here within the Premier League, together with the opening day and two as soon as the title had already been clinched.
It’s merely a nod on the progress the 22-year-old has forward of him moderately than a damning indictment of his high quality, Leverkusen wouldn’t have made him their document switch if that was the case.
Quansah’s switch aligns along with his profession standing and the place Leverkusen and Liverpool discover themselves in, the previous a rebuild after Xabi Alonso’s departure and the latter competing for each trophy.
A transfer on the proper time
Liverpool may very well be criticised in years passed by for not capitalising on the highs of their fringe gamers, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams instantly spring to thoughts.
That isn’t the case with Quansah, although, after they agreed to a £35 million deal as pure revenue because of him having risen up the ranks after becoming a member of as a five-year-old.
The funds could be injected again into the squad for a alternative that is able to slot seamlessly into Slot’s facet of their pursuit of trophies, which at present appears to be like to be Marc Guehi.
The Reds’ alternative can have the belief of Slot, one thing Quansah lacked, and that may afford extra flexibility with centre-back rotation and elevated competitors particularly for Konate.
Though it’s a disgrace to see one other academy graduate transfer on, for the membership it’s a switch that may assist capitalise on the current whereas additionally holding on to the potential of him returning with a buy-back clause (value €60m).
As for Quansah, it avoids one other season the place he isn’t deemed adequate to be a daily starter within the Premier League, as a substitute he can be anticipated to function prominently within the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Leverkusen’s new No. 4 arrives as a Premier League and U21 Euro winner and his function of their rebuild will increase his probabilities of impressing Thomas Tuchel for subsequent summer season’s World Cup.
“The formidable targets right here have been clearly defined to me through the negotiations,” Quansah mentioned throughout his unveiling. “It’s a terrific function and problem for me to be half of the present Leverkusen rebuild.”
Quansah is powerful on the ball and has no worry of throwing himself right into a contest and his apparent potential, now and for the long run, is underlined by the payment that has been paid for his providers.
His switch at Leverkusen comes on the proper time for his growth and for Liverpool’s place to construct on their Premier League success and create a squad in Slot’s picture.
