How Van Dijk is Shaping Quansah’s Career | OneFootball

Jarell Quansah: Liverpool’s Rising Star Benefiting from Van Dijk’s Guidance

Quansah’s Journey from Fringe Player to Key Role

Jarell Quansah has experienced a season of development and adaptation at Liverpool, navigating early setbacks to establish himself within Arne Slot’s squad. The 22-year-old found game time hard to come by at the start of the campaign, struggling for both rhythm and form.

His season began on a difficult note, as he was substituted at half-time during Liverpool’s opening-day victory over Ipswich. However, rather than dwell on that setback, Quansah committed himself to earning the trust of Slot and his coaching team.

A testament to his resilience, injuries within the squad have led to an unexpected positional shift. Typically a centre-back, he has recently been deployed at right-back, a role suggested by Slot before a match against Manchester City. The Dutch manager assured him he possessed the “attributes and qualities” to succeed in the position. Though a significant adjustment, Quansah has embraced the challenge with determination.

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Learning from the Best: Virgil van Dijk’s Influence

Every young defender encounters difficult moments, but not all have the privilege of learning from a world-class mentor. In Quansah’s case, that mentor is Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, whose experience at the highest level has proved invaluable.

Speaking about Van Dijk’s role in his development, Quansah explained:

“He’s lived my career. He’s been a young centre-half, made mistakes, and reached the pinnacle, the very top of football, and been one of the best centre-halves that we’ve ever seen.”

Van Dijk’s ability to relate to Quansah’s situation has helped build a strong relationship between the pair, with the Dutchman offering regular guidance.

“He can resonate with me a lot, and everything he can do to help me, he’s trying to do, and I’m grateful for that.”

Constant Advice Without Pressure

Quansah highlighted how Van Dijk’s influence is ever-present but never overwhelming.

“On a day-to-day basis, he’s always talking to me. It’s not like a schedule! But when he needs to, he does, and it’s always valuable information that I take from him.”

This organic mentorship has allowed the young defender to develop naturally, absorbing crucial insights without feeling pressured.

Preparing for a Defining Moment

Having already overcome numerous challenges this season, Quansah is now gearing up for his biggest test yet – a Carabao Cup final at Wembley. His adaptability, combined with the unwavering support of Van Dijk, will be crucial as he looks to further cement his place in the Liverpool squad.

Under Arne Slot, the 22-year-old has shown both versatility and resilience. With a major final on the horizon, Quansah has the opportunity to prove his worth on one of the grandest stages in English football.