Arne Slot shares true feelings on Jarell Quansah and makes Virgil van Dijk point

Arne Slot has launched a staunch defense of Jarell Quansah after the Liverpool defender endured another difficult night against Brighton.

The 21-year-old was at fault for the Seagulls’ first goal in the Reds’ 3-2 win in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. A loose pass saw the hosts immediately pounce to make it 2-1 and breathe new life into the contest.

Quansah was also unlucky to deflect Tariq Lamptey’s strike from distance past Vitezslav Jaros in the final minute, setting up something of a nervy finish as Liverpool defended its 3-2 lead. The academy graduate was subsequently substituted for Ibrahima Konate, with Quansah looking disappointed as he made his way off the pitch.

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It’s not the first time Slot has showed a somewhat ruthless side with the young defender, having also brought him off at half-time of the Reds’ opening game against Ipswich. The Liverpool boss though has praised Quansah for his performance at Brighton, insisting he was just ‘unlucky’ in moments.

“I think Jarell played a very good game,” Slot said in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton. “The only issue he has at the moment is that if he has a moment that is not perfect, it leads to a goal. That’s what happened in this game.

“In my opinion, he was unlucky, and I know you cannot judge a player on leaving those two moments out because they are so vital for results, but he is getting better and better, and he was already really good.

“For him, it’s that last step maybe to make, which he’s already shown in the past, that he can play a game without making these small mistakes.”

Slot added: “He’s in a bit of an unlucky period when it comes to making a small mistake, it immediately leads to a goal. But if I look at his overall performance, I really liked what I saw.

“He was confident on the ball, also when we conceded that one, it was not out of ‘I’m afraid to make a decision’, it’s just by taking initiative, and these things can happen. I liked the way he played, and he was a bit unlucky with the second goal as well, but for me that was not his game.

“I wouldn’t say he is not able to play in the coming days or weeks. He is definitely in competition with two center-backs that are hardly making any mistakes at the moment, but apart from the mistakes I think he played similar to Virgil [van Dijk] and Ibou [Konate] with a lot of confidence, playing the ball out from the back and defending really well.”

Liverpool.com says: It was a tough situation for Quansah at Brighton. Slot is absolutely right that he had played well other than the mistake that led to the hosts’ first, and his deflection for the second was just unlucky. He will undoubtedly get more chances, and hopefully luck will be on his side in the future.