Jarell Quansah has opened up about the unique experience of sharing the field with Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds academy graduate has had a breakthrough season with Jurgen Klopp’s side at the senior level, making 18 appearances across all competitions.
Quansah has featured in the Premier League, Europa League, Emirates FA Cup, and Carabao Cup in 2023-24 as Liverpool continue their quest to fight for four titles.
The 21-year-old partnered with Van Dijk in Liverpool’s 3-1 victory against Burnley at Anfield last weekend, helping them reclaim the top spot on the league table.
“I’m blessed to be in the position I’m in,” the centre-back told Premier League Production via Liverpoolfc.com. “Everything he [Van Dijk] does on and off the pitch, you’ve got to look at it, you’ve got to take it in.
“As well as the stuff he does off the pitch, on the pitch he marshals you through it, he talks. I think just having that next to you, you can’t do much wrong with just learning off him and seeing what he’s doing.”
He added: “It’s always hard to just stay level-headed and take each game as it comes. But at the end of the day, we’re in a final… a player’s football career is only short, so you only get a limited number [of chances] to try to win these trophies.
“If you’re in the hat for all the games and all the competitions, you might as well go for every title – and that’s what we’re going to do this season.”
On his breakthrough this season, the England U-21 international said: “You just sort of take it in as it comes. I’ve not really had a moment to take a step back and think [whether] I really belong or whatever.
“It’s taking each game as it comes, trying to improve, trying to learn everything off the players around me.
“We’ve got a really good group who really do help each other. Especially in my position, I’ve got world-class players ahead of me. I’m just being a sponge and taking everything in from them and that will help me whatever happens.
“It’s hard to enjoy when it’s so tough, to be fair! It’s just about learning for me at this stage. I’m obviously doing it at one of the biggest clubs in the world, which is good and it’s hard.
“When I was younger, that’s all I wanted. I’m prepared for this sort of challenge in my career.”
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