Liverpool’s EFL Cup Victory and the Rise of Jarell Quansah

Liverpool’s recent EFL Cup clash with Brighton at the AMEX Stadium ended in a thrilling 3-2 victory, securing the Reds a spot in the quarterfinals. This particular game was notable not only for the result but also for the tactical team selection that saw heavy rotation across key positions. Hosted on Anfield Index, the Daily Red podcast, with Dave Hendrick, provided an insightful breakdown of Liverpool’s lineup choices, standout performances, and a passionate defence of rising star Jarell Quansah amidst criticism from fans.

Heavy Rotation and Promising Performances

For this EFL Cup fixture, Liverpool fielded a rotation-heavy lineup. As Dave Hendrick summarised, “the best possible outcome that we got to see such heavy rotation and we won the game.” This approach gave promising young players like Connor Bradley and Jarell Quansah critical match experience while resting seasoned starters like Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Highlighting the youthful energy in defence, Hendrick noted, “Connor Bradley back fitting well got the whole 90 minutes,” marking a significant return for Bradley. However, while the rotation showed potential, Hendrick acknowledged that experienced players like Andy Robertson struggled, mentioning that Robertson “didn’t have a great game and was at fault for their second goal.”

The attacking lineup was effective, with Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz delivering exceptional performances. Hendrick described Gakpo’s goal as “the prototypical Cody Gakpo at PSV Eindhoven goal…an absolutely sensational finish.” Diaz, wrapping up Liverpool’s score with a well-timed strike in the 85th minute, also drew praise for “creating space himself and a good finish,” securing the Reds’ advancement.

Jarell Quansah: Defending a Young Talent

One of the game’s focal points was Jarell Quansah’s performance, which saw mixed reactions from fans online. Some criticised Quansah for his role in Brighton’s first goal, a point that Hendrick passionately refuted. “This is a young central defender still learning his way,” Hendrick argued, dismissing the negative reactions as “nonsense.” He explained that while Quansah made an error, his development journey mirrors other defensive talents, including Liverpool’s own star, Virgil van Dijk.

Drawing parallels to John Terry, Hendrick emphasised the slower development curve for defenders: “Defenders tend to develop later than forward players…so much of defensive play is down to reading the game, concentration, fundamentals.” Hendrick pointed out that van Dijk, at Quansah’s age, was playing for Groningen in the Netherlands, underscoring the need for patience.

Hendrick’s critique also extended to unrealistic expectations, reminding listeners that young defenders will have “rough games, rough months where they make mistakes.” He stressed that putting undue pressure on Quansah is counterproductive and “the type of garbage that puts undue pressure on young players.”

Looking Forward to Southampton and the Season Ahead

With a place secured in the quarterfinal against Southampton on December 17th, Hendrick called for a similar team selection, saying, “no reason not to have an extra game.” He believes this strategy could bring more opportunities for emerging players. The discussion then shifted to the larger picture of Liverpool’s squad needs, particularly at left-back, where Hendrick raised concerns about Andy Robertson’s recent performances.

Reflecting on Robertson’s decline, Hendrick stated, “Robbo has not been good this year, he was not good last year,” attributing it to years of overuse. He highlighted that Robertson’s issues stem from “played far too much for a number of years between us and Scotland.” Hendrick argues it’s time for Liverpool to secure a new left-back to remain competitive, optimistically stating, “there is a title sitting there for us to go and win.”