Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah hit the headlines with his late winner for England in the U19 Euro semi-finals. So what do we know about the youngster?
England were level with Italy as the clock ticked down in Slovakia, only for Quansah to pop up in the 82nd minute to head home and clinch a 2-1 victory.
The win secured a spot in the final against Israel, with Quansah expected to make his fifth start in as many games as he establishes himself as a key player for Ian Foster.
Of the three Liverpool players in Foster’s U19s squad, the centre-back is by far the most prominently featured – but he remains one for the future at club level.
So what do we know about Quansah and where does his future lie?
Who is Jarell Quansah?
Quansah is a 19-year-old centre-back who has been in the Liverpool academy since he was five, having grown up in nearby Warrington.
Though he and his parents are English and Quansah intends to represent England through the age groups, he also qualifies for Scotland, Barbados and Ghana through his grandparents.
His brother, Keenan, is also a footballer – a right-back who currently plies his trade with nearby Southport FC in the National League.
Grandfather Samuel Quansah is a former Ghana international who moved to England in the 1950s, and after trials with Man United settled in the lower leagues, including with Stalybridge Celtic.
In February of last year, Quansah signed his first professional contract with Liverpool, tying him down for three years with the option of a fourth.
What do we know about him as a player?
He is a natural centre-back but has also turned out at right-back for Liverpool, with his blend of speed and strength suiting both positions.
His future is almost certainly at the heart of the defence, though, as he develops his game as a dominant centre-back with real authority and an impressive passing range.
There are comparisons to be drawn with Rhys Williams, though Quansah is quicker off the mark than the 21-year-old.
Does he have any first-team experience?
Quansah is yet to feature for the Liverpool first team, but was named in the matchday squad on two occasions during the 2021/22 season.
With the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Nat Phillips sidelined, Jurgen Klopp named the youngster on the bench for the 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the Premier League in December.
Three days later, Quansah was among the substitutes again for the triumph over Leicester in the League Cup quarter-finals.
Could we see more of him next season?
While a senior breakthrough seems unlikely at this stage, given the competition for places ahead of him in Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez among others, he could see more involvement in training.
With Billy Koumetio having already joined Austria Wien on loan and both Williams and Sepp van den Berg likely to follow him through the exit, Quansah should stay as a regular in the under-21s.
As for opportunities in pre-season, England’s run to the U19 Euro final may, ironically, keep him out of contention.
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