Jarell Quansah says Virgil van Dijk does something during Liverpool matches he’s never experienced before

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Thus far under Arne Slot, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has been limited to 45 minutes of football in the club’s first three league games.

Slot made the bold decision to hook Quansah at halftime against Ipswich Town on the opening weekend, feeling as if the Liverpool defender wasn’t winning his duels.

Since then, Ibrahima Konate has played every minute alongside Virgil van Dijk, a tough decision for the 21-year-old to swallow.

However, with such a long season ahead and given that Liverpool didn’t sign a new centre-back this summer, Quansah will still get his chances.

Liverpool sold Sepp van den Berg this summer, but decided to keep Joe Gomez, meaning there is sufficient cover for Slot until he can restructure his defence more in his image.

Gomez was linked with a Liverpool exit, but will remain with the club until January at least.

Jarell Quansah says Virgil van Dijk pushes him every game at Liverpool

Speaking in an interview with The Times, Quansah has now shared some honest thoughts on his omission from the team since that Ipswich game.

And when speaking candidly about the situation, the young Englishman also spoke about the influence of his captain Van Dijk at Liverpool, and how much he’s helped him improve.

READ MORE: Ally McCoist now reacts to ‘brilliant news’ he has heard from Liverpool

Quansah said he had developed his game a ton of late, and paid thanks to everyone around him, including the experienced Dutchman.

Quansah shared: “You can probably see from the outside how much I’ve developed over the past year. It’s not just down to me, it’s down to the people around me — it’s the coaches, it’s the players. 

“Virgil, the way he talks you through the game, I’ve never heard anyone like it.

“We’re always going to be pushing each other, and that’s another positive. I’m hopefully pushing them and they’re pushing me too.”

Van Dijk’s contract situation remains unsolved

Of course, the sub plot to all the positivity and success that Slot is already enjoying at Liverpool is the contract situation of the club’s three biggest stars.

Along with Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are also not contracted as Liverpool players beyond the 2024/25 season, a huge concern.

Steve McManaman provided an update on those contract situations recently, but it must be a stress for all associated with Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold was excellent for England against Ireland on Saturday, he responded well from Lee Carsley’s decision to start him in his preferred right-back role.

And as the weeks and months pass, Liverpool fans will be itching for a quick solution one way or another.