Virgil van Dijk praised fellow center-back Jarell Quansah for his impact on the game in his full Liverpool debut, calling it a “very good start.”
For the trip to Wolves, Jurgen Klopp turned to Quansah because Van Dijk was out due to suspension, Ibrahima Konate wasn’t fully healthy, and Joe Gomez was needed at right-back.
After two substitute appearances, the 20-year-old was given his first start for the team and produced a standout performance in a 3-1 victory.
After the game, Van Dijk was seen hugging the academy alum. When asked about Quansah’s start, he was speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League match against LASK.
“Particularly on the weekend, he was outstanding in my opinion,” the captain said.
“To play away at Wolves, difficult game, he came off [for] the last 10 minutes, but the amount of time he played he was outstanding.
“For him to stay cool-headed, do the job, very solid, he was someone you could build on in that game.
“It was great to see. I was very proud of him, very pleased for him.
“He should just see it as the start, but it was a very good start. He has to keep going, keep working, keep learning.
“But he is at a great club, he’s in a great environment, he’s in a great team in my opinion, so keep going.
“Hopefully he’ll be very important in the now and in the future for the club.”
Quansah will likely get more playing time as the season goes on because the team decided against adding another center-back during the summer transfer window.
As deadline day approached, it was a controversial choice among supporters, with names like Levi Colwill, Micky van de Ven, and Goncalo Inacio linked.
But it’s clear that Klopp has faith in his No. 78 as a backup to Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, and Joel Matip because the manager reportedly turned down a summer loan, according to Lewis Steele of the Mail.
Quansah, who spent the second half of the previous season with Bristol Rovers, had “plenty of offers to leave temporarily again,” according to the journalist.
Any transfer was reportedly “vetoed” by Klopp because he “trusts” the player to deliver when needed.