Liverpool manager Arne Slot made an interesting call against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Wednesday evening.
Slot did not include Trent Alexander-Arnold in the starting lineup. The Liverpool manager decided to deploy Jarell Quansah at right-back instead.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the best right-backs in the world, so it was a shock that Slot kept him on the bench for the start of the Premier League match against Newcastle.
Quansah is a central defender by trade, yet he was given the right-back role against a Newcastle side who are aiming to finish in the top four of the Premier League table this season.
The 21-year-old defender did struggle at times against the pace of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon and was booked as well, but he went forward at times and made some important recovery runs.
It was not one of Quansah’s finest performances, and it will be interesting to see if Slot keep him in the starting lineup against Everton in the Merseyside derby this weekend.
Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah compared to Arsenal ace Ben White
Slot gave his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of the Premier League game against Everton, and he defended Quansah and compared him to Arsenal star Ben White.
White plays at right-back for Arsenal, but the former Leeds United loanee started his career as a centre-back.
When asked about Alexander-Arnold, Slot said, as quoted in The Liverpool Echo: “First of all Jarell played a good game, not everyone agrees with me from what I am told but if you look back, you saw in 1-v-1s he had no problems, few times Gordon was involved, Jarell was not.
“If Bradley was available he attacks, overlaps but Jarell is different, a more Ben White style behind the ball, playing the lines instead of overlaps. If Conor or Trent play there’s not much difference.”
Encouraging for Jarell Quansah
Quansah is only 21 years of age and is still developing and improving as a player.
The Liverpool defender is far from the finished article, but that Slot trusts him enough to start ahead of Alexander-Arnold says a lot about the youngster.
Ben White is one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and comparing Quansah to the Arsenal star underlines Slot’s faith in the Liverpool defender.
For now, Quansah needs to continue to work hard and make the most of the chances he gets under Slot.
