Analyst Claims New Arrival Could End One Defender’s Anfield Journey | OneFootball

Is This the End for Quansah at Liverpool? What Huijsen’s Arrival Could Mean

When Liverpool fans think about the future of their defence, Jarell Quansah often features as a symbol of promise. But according to Stat Me Up on Anfield Index, that perception might be shifting — and quickly. As Dave Davis and Dr Phil Barter meticulously dissected during their podcast, the emergence of Dean Huijsen as a serious target could spell the end of Quansah’s trajectory at Anfield.

Why Quansah Might Not Fit Arne Slot’s Plans

From the outset, Davis was forthright: “Arne Slot clearly fancies one… and clearly does not fancy the other one.” Despite Quansah’s early-season involvement and academy roots, his place in the pecking order seems tenuous at best. Even during periods when Ibrahima Konaté was struggling physically, “he’s still starting and playing ahead of Jerel Kwanza,” Davis said. That’s a statement as damning as it is revealing.

Quansah’s role has slowly been reduced to fourth-choice at best, behind Konaté, Van Dijk, and Joe Gomez. “Gomez actually when he was fit seemed to at times be the third centre half, Kwanza relegated to fourth,” Davis noted. That suggests faith in Quansah isn’t universally shared within the coaching setup, regardless of his homegrown appeal.

Huijsen’s Profile Outshines Quansah

The comparison between Huijsen and Quansah was stark. Dr Barter ran through the data, and it didn’t favour the Englishman. “Huijsen is largely outperforming Quansah on most telemetrics,” he explained. While Quansah has some respectable defensive numbers, Huijsen’s are simply superior — especially when it comes to progression and threat.

“Progressive carries being in the 91st percentile,” Barter said about Huijsen. “Shot-creating actions 94th percentile. You can see why all these clubs are ready to risk £50 million.” In contrast, Quansah is more limited in output, particularly with the ball. “He doesn’t have anything on the ball,” Barter stated bluntly. “Percentiles defensively… far off Huijsen.”

Even if Quansah recycles possession well and carries it at times, the data doesn’t support him being a long-term starter at a club like Liverpool. “He does 90th percentile of shot non-penalty goals, 91st percentile for non-penalty goals in xG… but doesn’t create many shot-creating actions,” Barter added. A mixed return, at best.

Homegrown, But Not Untouchable

Homegrown status has often shielded fringe players from early exits, but Davis pointed out that this might not apply here. “If someone offers you £40 million for Quansah, I think you take it,” he suggested. The financial reality of modern football, combined with squad optimisation under Arne Slot, could mean Quansah’s value is highest on the market rather than the pitch.

At 22, Quansah can’t afford another season as a bit-part player. “He should be now thinking about where am I going to play my football,” Barter asserted. For a player that’s yet to truly break through at a top level, time is ticking. Especially if Liverpool secure a younger, more highly-rated replacement like Huijsen.

All Signs Point One Way

Barter didn’t mince words: “Huijsen has fewer defects in his game… I could see how Huijsen could add to our ability as a team, whereas I’m not sure Quansah does.” While not dismissive of Quansah’s contributions, the underlying message was clear — in a high-functioning team system under Slot, Huijsen profiles as the better fit.

If Huijsen arrives, “it’s probably a death to Joe Gomez at the club as well,” Davis warned. But for Quansah, it seems even more final. As the summer approaches, his future hangs in the balance — and every metric discussed suggests he may not be part of Liverpool’s next chapter.