Slot backs Quansah to improve after ‘unlucky period’ | OneFootball

Arne Slot has backed defender Jarrell Quansah after a difficult start to the season, calling it “an unlucky period.”Liverpool secured their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 win over Brighton at the Amex on Wednesday evening. However the Reds had to go through a nervy final ten minutes to clinch victory, after a couple of errors from Quansah brought the Seagulls back into contention and created an anxious finish for Slot’s side.

Quansah, who was making only his third start of the season, has struggled to cement his place alongside Virgil van Dijk after a breakthrough season under previous manager Jurgen Klopp.

The 21-year-old was involved in both of Brighton’s goals, with Tariq Lamptey’s shot deflecting off him to make it 3-2 and set up a tense end to the match. He was subsequently substituted for Ibrahima Konate in the closing stages.

Despite the errors, Slot defended the young defender’s overall performance:

“Jarell played a very good game. The only issue he has at the moment is if he has a moment that is not perfect, it immediately leads to a goal.

“I know you cannot judge a player on leaving those two moments out, because they are so vital to results, but he is getting better and better, and he was already really good.

“For him, it’s that last step maybe to make, which he’s already shown in the past he can play without making these small mistakes.

“He’s in a bit of an unlucky period when it comes to if he makes a small mistake it immediately leads to a goal, but if I look at his overall performance I really liked what I saw.

“He was comfortable on the ball, also when we conceded that one it was not out of ‘I’m afraid to make a decision’, it’s just by taking initiative and these things can happen.

“I liked the way he played and, like I said, he was a bit unlucky with the second goal as well but, for me, that was not his game.

“I wouldn’t say he is not able to play in the upcoming days or weeks. He is definitely in competition with two centre-backs that are hardly making any mistakes at the moment.

“Apart from the mistakes, I think he played similar to Virgil and Ibou [Konate] with a lot of confidence playing the ball out from the back and defending really well. For me, it was a good performance but a bit unlucky in the end.”

Arne Slot previews Liverpool’s match against Brighton.