Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk responds to significant Jarell Quansah transfer announcement
Jarell Quansah’s transfer decision has caused a reaction from team mates at Liverpool.
Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool agreed a £35million deal for the defender to head to Germany earlier in the transfer window.
The 22-year-old came through the youth ranks at Liverpool, but hasn’t become a regular starter under either Jurgen Klopp or Arne Slot with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate among those ahead of him in pecking order.
Quansah appeared 25 times for the club last season in all competitions as the Reds become Premier League champions for a second time.
Emotional Quansah to leave Reds
Taking to Instagram (2 July), Quansah confirmed he had left Liverpool with an emotional message and video reel which shared memories of his time at the club.
In the post Quansah said he had “lived that dream” of playing for Liverpool at Anfield, which was liked by captain van Dijk.
Thanking the staff, his team mates and supporters, the defender said the club would always hold a special place in his heart.
Quansah later announced confirmation that he would be a Bayer Leverkusen player next season, working under former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
| Appearances | 58 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 3 |
Slot can begin search for new centre-back
Football Insider verdict
With the news confirmed that Quansah is leaving the club to join Bayer Leverkusen, Arne Slot can accelerate his plans to find a replacement.
Ibrahima Konate is locked in contract talks with the club, but even if the Frenchman decides to stay Slot would be left with just three senior centre-back options.
Konate’s future though could decide what calibre of player Slot can convince to join Liverpool.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has been linked with a move, but if the 24-year-old wasn’t a guaranteed starter it would seem unlikely he would join.
Slot therefore needs to line up other options with pre-season about to begin and crunch games against Newcastle and Arsenal to come in their first three matches.
The Dutchman has already been busy acquiring new defenders, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez joining the Reds.
Kerkez looks set to replace Andy Robinson, who could be joining Atletico Madrid this summer, whilst Frimpong has replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold who has joined Real Madrid.