Jarell Quansah has admitted that since leaving Liverpool, he has “started loving football again” with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
At one point, some supporters were looking at Jarell Quansah as Virgil van Dijk‘s long-term successor in Liverpool’s defence.
While those hopes are not completely lost, thanks to the academy graduate’s buy-back clause, he left Liverpool for £35 million last summer and is now developing at Leverkusen.
Speaking in a Bundesliga interview, the 23-year-old talked about how leaving Arne Slot‘s side has been a good move for his career.
“I’ve really loved it, to be honest. It’s been refreshing for me,” Quansah declared.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I’ve started loving football again, being able to play week in, week out against some of the best teams in the world, showing what I’m capable of, what I can give to this team and to the fans as well.
“I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”
Asked about the challenge of leaving the Reds, where he had played since the age of five, for a new country, Quansah said: “It’s never easy moving to a different country.
“I think coming from the pressure of being at Liverpool, it’s not easy to come away from such a big club and try to build your own career off the back of being at one place for 17 years.
“It’s never easy, but I’m happy it’s gone well so far.”
Tyler Morton tells a similar story
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 25, 2024: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot speaks to substitute Tyler Morton during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-1. (Photo by Ryan Brown/Propaganda)
Quansah hasn’t lost his love for Liverpool, but he has re-found his fondness for football thanks to regular game time and belief from coach Kasper Hjulmand.
This was something to which he wasn’t privy in his last season at Anfield, starting just two Premier League matches before the Premier League title was secured.
A criticism levelled at Slot is that he hasn’t been able to keep the full squad motivated, with players on the fringes feeling left out and unwanted.
Tyler Morton was another youngster who left last summer and is now thriving, becoming a fan favourite for Lyon in France.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 24, 2024: Liverpool's (L-R) Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton before the FA Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The 23-year-old Wirralian told SPORTbible: “I think he (Slot) thought I was a good player, but I don’t feel the trust was there as much.
“In my opinion, the limited opportunities were down to trust and not ability.”
While it isn’t believed that Morton has a buy-back clause in his Lyon contract, Quansah could end up back at Liverpool in the future.
Jarell Quansah Buy-Back Clause Details
2026 Fee €80 million (£69.2m)
2027 Fee €65 million (£56.2m)
Status Personal terms & salary pre-agreed
Current Age 23 (Born: Jan 29, 2003)
Leverkusen Contract Expires June 30, 2030
This Is Anfield understands Liverpool have no plans to re-sign Quansah in 2026, but he is presented as a realistic replacement for Van Dijk if he leaves on the expiry of his contract next year.
It would be great to see the Liverpudlian back in our red strip, but with the acquisitions of Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet, the club’s hierarchy have started planning for a future without him.
For Slot, if he can’t find a way to motivate his players who don’t start every week, whether that be by giving them more regular game time or otherwise, he will continue to struggle competing on multiple fronts.