An international break version of Liverpool Scouted Weekly looks at why a move for Brentford winger Kevin Schade doesn't make sense and how the Reds fumbled the Jarrell Quansah situation
Kevin Schade
Kevin Schade is a legitimate transfer target for the Reds(Image: Getty Images)
The international break hasn't spelled flowers for Liverpool. Instead, the club has been saddled with a pair of injuries to attacking players Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Still, the pause in club football gives the Reds' scouting department time to take a serious look at what's working for the club so far — striker, the new change at right-back — and what isn't — midfield instability.
Liverpool has been linked with Brentford winger Kevin Schade, while former Reds defender Jarrell Quansah is the subject of surprise interest from Real Madrid. They feature on this edition of Liverpool Scouted Weekly,
Liverpool should exercise caution with Kevin Schade
Schade, 24, is an ideal midtable Premier League player. He's 6-foot-1 and rapid, excelling in transition while lining up mainly on the right. He's scored three times in five league starts to kick off the 2026/27 campaign.
However, he isn't a fit for Liverpool. For one, he lines up exclusively on the left wing, and his role in Brentford coach Keith Andrews's team requires a ridiculous amount of tracking back.
Schade's average of 2.0 tackles/interceptions per 90 minutes last year would profile well in an Andoni Iraola system; eventually. The Spanish manager will want his side to press higher.
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Kevin Schade
Schade scores part Ibrahima Konate and Liverpool last October(Image: Getty Images)
But the German international — Schade started two UEFA Nations League games for Jurgen Klopp's Germany this window — needs acres of space to operate most effectively. Then, he takes his chances from close: all of his eight goals last season were scored from inside the box.
Schade isn't particularly an effective passer (look up his pass accuracy if you dare). He profiles more as a change-of-pace bench threat, a role the Reds already filled with Victor Munoz this summer. Brentford paid €24 million ($30 million) for him in 2023 and would likely demand double now. That's too much.
Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah has blossomed into a regular England international(Image: Getty Images)
Jarrell Quansah sale should be a lesson for Reds
Arsenal doesn't deploy a traditional full-back. Liverpool, meanwhile, planned on entering the season with Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong on either defensive flank, a plan quickly abandoned by Iraola after a string of poor performances.
The key to defensive depth is versatile players who can play anywhere across the back line. Ronald Araujo, surprisingly, has fit that bill. Joe Gomez, theoretically, also plays the part.
So too would Jarrell Quansah, the Reds' former 6'3" defender, now in his second season with Bayer Leverkusen. He was sold in 2025 at £30 million ($40 million) of pure profit to accommodate the ridiculous spending spree on attacking players.
Liverpool holds a buy-back at for €70 million ($85 million), but that may not be enough to peak the player's interest. What will, however, be news is that Real Madrid are now "showing great interest" in Quansah, per SPORT BILD.
The hybrid fullback-centerback trend is one that Michael Edwards and the entire FSG sporting department entirely missed. And it will now cost them a promising talent.