Is Arne Slot ‘Harshly’ Treating This Struggling Liverpool Star? – Opinion | OneFootball

Is Jarell Quansah Being Harshly Treated by Arne Slot?

Though it is vital to have depth and real quality for all footballing positions at Anfield, the need for two viable options in each role still holds certain caveats alongside it. As the frenzied fixtures and the intensity of elite level football continues to grow, the now commonly rotated players will hopefully see their ridiculous loads reduced through rest periods and tactical withdrawals.

The want to see the primary assets rolled out for each encounter is all well and good (for the supporters), however, the inevitable fatigue, drop off in form, and raft of injuries will only make for a weaker enterprise and lessening chance of silverware in the new year. Despite all this and the notion that roles must be adapted to ensure longevity over a season, I get the sense that the new head coach, Arne Slot, has already laid down the gauntlet for his entire roster of players and challenged their way into the first team elite, rather than the midweek backup brigade.

Photo: IMAGO

Are There Examples of In-House Competition?

On two separate occasions this season, we have seen the promising and ultra talented central defender, Jarell Quansah, replaced at irregular points in competitive matches. On the opening day of the Premier League campaign, the starting role next to the club captain, Virgil van Dijk, was awarded to the England under-21 international, Quansah, ahead of his man mountain of a teammate, Ibrahima Konaté.

I was surprised by the starting line-up choice; however, hindsight allows me to look at that initial decision in a differing light, especially when considering the alteration undertaken at half time. During that encounter at Portman Road, the host’s ambitious and talented manager, Kieran McKenna, targeted the red’s 21-year-old right sided defender, Quansah. The Tractor Boys employed a physical presence in their front line for that encounter, which utilized the 6ft 1inch frame of their target man, Liam Delap, to its absolute fullest.

I sense that the reds stand out youngster from the 2023-24 season, was awarded his starting shirt on match week one due to choice; an increased-on ball ability (shown through preseason), one held over his direct opposition, Ibou. At 6ft 3inches, the young Warrington born defender has always shown a strong and combative ability in his game, however, when drawing up a tactical plan to disrupt Liverpool’s rearguard, the reds inspirational skipper, Virgil, was never going to become the likely target, which made for a difficult first half against the promoted opposition, Ipswich Town.

Photo: IMAGO

Despite the former Bristol Rovers loanee, Quansah, not having a particularly bad 45-minutes against the Suffolk club and winning a fair portion of his duals, the rough housing on the no.78 was prominent enough for the former Feyenoord manager, Slot, to make a change at half time and introduce the 6ft 4inch powerhouse, Konaté. Almost immediately, a more combative and powerful impression was made by the France international defender, as he overwhelmed anything and everything that came his way, inevitably leading to the 74th minute withdrawal of Ipswich Town’s starting striker, Delap.

The reds monstrous no.5 was ferocious that in that second half and I believe the gauntlet of becoming VVD’s first choice partner was set by his new boss, one which has seen the best form of the former RB Leipzig star continue to this day. Regardless of anyone else’s opinion, my own eye test and averaging of match day ratings indicate that the twin towers of Liverpool’s defence, 25-year-old, Konaté, and the 33-year-old, Van Dijk, have been the standout performers so far this season and are the bedrock on which all success is being attained.

What Now for Jarell Quansah?

Following a solid start in the EFL Cup third round and key role in that 5-1 win over visiting West Ham, another start was awarded to the cultured centre back, in the most recent 4th round tie against Brighton at the American Express Stadium. As part of a deserved 2-3 win, the future senior England international was again able to form a strong union with his partner for the night (the highly experienced campaigner), Joe Gomez.

Photo: IMAGO

With the scores stable at 0-2, the away side were cruising and it allowed a raft of alterations to be made in the midfield and attack. With most cup games (and indeed contests in general) it is common place to maintain the starting central defensive pair and allow them to see out the game. Given a lack of concentration and perhaps a little too much confidence on the ball, an uncharacteristic wayward pass by the 8-cap England under-21 star, Jarell, allowed Brighton to score on 81 minutes and create an undesirable 1-2 score line.

Fortunately for the visiting support, the Columbian flyer, Luis Díaz, was able to restore the two-goal cushion to a 1-3 s ore on 85 minutes, though that margin was again reduced to 2-3 on the 90th minute, as Tariq Lamptey drove an effort into the visitor’s net, courtesy of a deflection off the sprawling leg of Quansah. With this and a firm decision on the Liverpool bench, the starting defender was almost immediately by the in-form member of the first team elite, Konaté.

The clock read 92 minutes and another message had been sent to the young defender that was relieved of his on-pitch duties.

What Message Does This Late Alteration Send?

After watching the likes of Luis Suárez, Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano, Michael Owen, and Steve McManaman, all leave Anfield for pastures new, my sentiment surrounding players that adorn the famous red jersey of Merseyside has all but extinguished. My one and overwhelming desire is to see Liverpool Football Club win trophies, whilst dominating opposing teams, and I fully understand that that reality is only ever achievable through getting the best players onto the pitch.

The manager / head coach is clearly a huge component, as well as the executives that make off field choices that benefit the team. Ultimately, the love and adoration that once bled from the former manager, Jürgen Klopp, has been replaced with a cold and hardened persona in his successor, Slot, someone who demands the best from his stable of assets and will make the tough choices without a second’s thought. Regarding the club’s wonderful academy graduate, Quansah, I believe he is being hardened to the realities of representing a world class institution of football and this process of tough love is a requirement to succeed.