Virgil van Dijk names Liverpool youngster he’s ‘always shouting’ at in training

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Virgil van Dijk has revealed which Liverpool academy graduate he’s now finding himself constantly talking to in training and off the pitch.

The Anfield captain is one of the most influential figures at Liverpool, with Van Dijk taking the armband last season with the defender enjoying another solid year in the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp departed in May.

Whilst there are rumours suggesting that Van Dijk could be heading to Saudi Arabia, the defender is seemingly locked in on Liverpool and pre-season preparations, with the Reds currently out in the United States.

And Van Dijk has now admitted that he’s mentoring a Liverpool youngster seemingly 24/7.

Van Dijk reveals mentoring Liverpool talent Jarell Quansah

Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Van Dijk admitted that he has been extensively mentoring centre-back Jarell Quansah, who last season broke into the Reds’ first-team and this summer was named in England’s preliminary squad for Euro 2024.

Van Dijk said when asked if he’s acting as a mentor to Quansah in training: “100% But that isn’t only because he’s young, I could also say that over the last couple of years about Matip or about Joe Gomez or [Ibrahima] Konate. I’m always communicating, I’m always shouting.

“If you would ask them how many times I shout their names during the games, they would get sick of me! But it’s only because we have one goal: trying not to concede. And the organisation has to be solid to get obviously the two centre-halves and the No.6, that’s the defensive structure that we have. And the rest can do whatever they want and score goals. In this case with Jarell, I’m definitely in his ear all the time.

“Even outside the pitch and before training; if we have a tactical session of a game and we play against players he has never played against, I will definitely speak about what they’re good at, what they normally do, what they do in the game, how they approach you maybe, what they try to do to get in your head. Things like that, small bits that can help him. Anything in order to not lose the game.”

Quansah will benefit greatly from Van Dijk’s lessons

Quansah is arguably the most lucky defender on the planet given which centre-back the young England international gets to learn from on an almost daily basis with Liverpool.

Van Dijk has been the best defender in football since moving to Anfield in 2018, with Liverpool’s success since that signing largely built from the Dutch international’s performances and his presence for the Reds.

And for Quansah, learning under Van Dijk is the best education any defender can receive in the modern game, with the Liverpool youngster having all the knowledge needed to thrive in the coming years for the Merseyside giants.