InterviewJarell Quansah: I wanted this chance - and I'll keep working to improve
‘Perfectionist’ Jarell Quansah walked away from a first Anfield start for Liverpool that included a win and an assist full of determination to keep improving.
The 20-year-old centre-back made his fourth appearance of the season on Wednesday night as the Reds beat Leicester City 3-1 in the Carabao Cup.
Having fallen behind to a Kasey McAteer finish within three minutes of kick-off, the home side grew into the ascendancy and turned their dominance into goals after the break.
Cody Gakpo levelled with a precise finish, Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool ahead with a brilliant long-ranger and Diogo Jota wrapped up the result – backheeling home from a Quansah assist.
“You’re prepared for anything, so as long as I can impact the team at one end, and now both ends, it’s always good,” Quansah told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“I just prefer defending but obviously if I can contribute with an assist or a goal every now and again, I’m always happy.”
On his pleasing progress at senior level so far in 2023-24, the No.78 added: “It’s been nice; I’ve wanted to do it. I just wanted the opportunity, that was the biggest thing for me.
“I’m glad that I’ve had it and taken it so far, but it’s about kicking on and improving, I’ve got so much to improve still; times in the game there I’ve given the ball away. I’m a perfectionist so I’m always working on the pitch to get better and better.”
Read on for more reaction from Quansah to a win that set up a fourth-round clash away at AFC Bournemouth…
On Liverpool’s convincing second-half performance…
Yeah, it’s not the start you want to get off to, but we showed good character, as we have shown all season really. Obviously you could see second half we were much better, much more on top, we won our duels – which was a big problem in the first half. That was a good way to turn it around.
On the collective and individual displays by a much-changed team…
Definitely. We’ve got great strength in this team, on and off the bench. [It was] a big rotation from the weekend but everyone is wanting to get into the starting XI for the Premier League games and games like tonight. Everyone played unbelievable, in my opinion. It’s about kicking on and getting through to the next round, which we did.
On having to believe the chances being created would turn into goals…
Yeah, if you have so many chances, with our quality you’re definitely going to score – whether it’s off the bench or players that started. I always believed we were going to get back into the game at some point, it was just whether we could put our chances away.
On Liverpool being determined to push on during games, and the spirit within the squad…
Yeah, 100 per cent. It’s the atmosphere we get between ourselves, that we want to keep going and keep putting our foot on the gas. But the crowd tonight was unbelievable, the fans really pushed us on towards the end and kept us going; when you’re tired they make you push on and push on. Anfield was buzzing tonight when we scored a few goals.
On a run in the Carabao Cup potentially offering more opportunities for him…
Any chance I get, whether it’s this competition, Europa League, Premier League, FA Cup, I’m ready to step up and give what I can give for the team.