On the surface, Liverpool’s decision to allow Jarell Quansah to leave this summer seems understandable and sensible in what is proving to be a busy window for the Reds.
A reported fee of around £35million ($48M) will help boost Liverpool’s transfer kitty, while also strengthening the Reds’ PSR situation. As an academy graduate, Quansah’s fee will be deemed as pure profit, while replacing the fourth-choice center-back with England international Marc Guehi would be an undeniable upgrade.
Given Quansah started just four Premier League games this season, it underlines his standing in the defensive hierarchy. One of those came on the opening weekend of the season, when he was hauled off at half-time against Ipswich Town; another came at right-back due to a short-term injury crisis, before the final two were handed out after the title was secured.
Arne Slot admitted in the latter stages of the season that Quansah needs to add more consistency to his game, and it’s clear at this stage the Dutchman doesn’t fully trust Liverpool’s no.78.
Yet, others will wonder whether allowing one of England’s brightest young defenders to leave is in Liverpool’s best interests long-term.
Bayer Leverkusen, a Champions League side, deem him worthy of paying a club-record fee and he is expected to hold down a starting spot under Erik ten Hag. Quansah also played a starring role for England’s victorious Under-21 side in Slovakia.
But perhaps the biggest praise the 22-year-old has earned since breaking into the Liverpool team came from captain Virgil van Dijk, someone who knows all too well the standards needed to excel at center-back.
Jarell Quansah is congratulated by Virgil van Dijk after scoring for Liverpool at Aston Villa
Van Dijk praised Quansah after he first broke into the Liverpool team. (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Jarell has dealt outstandingly well with every challenge that’s come his way so far,” Van Dijk told The Athletic in December 2023.
“He’s only 20 years old, he’s still growing. As a centre-half, you get better with experience.
“I was never this far, doing it consistently — like Ibou [Konate] and Jarell — when I was that young. He just has to keep going.
“There will be times when it’s tough, that’s absolutely normal, but it’s about how you deal with that. He’s a good boy.
“Mentally, he’s in the right frame of mind and that’s a good start. I’ll be there for him, whenever he needs. He’ll be just fine.”
Jarell Quansah
Quansah played a key role for England's Under-21 side this summer (Image: 2025 DeFodi Images)
High praise indeed from the Liverpool defender, who repeated those comments a few months later after Quansah kept Erling Haaland largely quiet in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
“It’s a nice story,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports, when asked about Quansah’s progress from the youth team to the senior side.
“I think for himself as well, when he came in for pre-season, coming back from loan, I don’t think he would have thought he’d be playing for the title.
“He is starting, he’s been important. Every challenge that was thrown his way, he dealt with outstandingly.
“The sky is the limit. He just has to stay humble and keep working hard, keep improving, because there will be a lot of bumps along the road as well.”