Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that Jarell Quansah was substituted at half-time against Ipswich Town due to losing too many one-on-one duels.
The 21-year-old was replaced by Ibrahima Konate, and asked to explain his decision after the 2-0 win, Slot replied:
“The first thing I said was we don’t have to speak about tactics if you lose so many duels, and that’s what we did. It’s not that Jarell lost every duel, many of us lost too many duels, so we needed Konate to win these long balls in the air towards their No.9 (Liam Delap), so that helped and gave us control.”
Fans on X feel that Slot’s remarks were refreshingly honest and they think the Dutchman’s blunt approach could end up paying dividends:
I love this …how’s it supposed to be
— Former Sure Boy (@kaka__0000) August 17, 2024
That’s what we like to see, a manager that isn’t scared🔥
— Dalah (@Dalah5511) August 17, 2024
You’re too used to Klopp refusing to criticise players. He would have just said “It was tactical”. Slot is taking no prisoners and I’m hear for it
— Frank Solo (@FrankSo59702909) August 17, 2024
Ruthless as he should 👍🏻
— Ahmed Mazen (@AhmedLFC91) August 17, 2024
No sugar coating
— Coinstare (@coinstare) August 17, 2024
That’s why we still need a new CB. Can’t rely on Quansah and Ibou not gonna stay fit for the whole season.
— Dad on Duty (@thegr8_8) August 17, 2024
Quansah is a quality centre-back
You do hope that Slot’s public criticism of the young defender doesn’t affect the player’s confidence. He has been excellent since breaking into the team last season and the manager wouldn’t have picked him to start at Portman Road if he wasn’t a big fan of his.
It could be argued that Quansah didn’t do a lot wrong in that first half on Saturday but it’s clear that Slot has exacting standards.
Will Liverpool look to strengthen the defence before the transfer window closes?
In addition to Quansah’s struggles on the opening day, it is believed that Joe Gomez could leave before the end of the month. The England international was not on the bench at the weekend.
Gomez’s departure would force Liverpool to bring in a replacement ahead of the transfer deadline. The likes of Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie have been linked in recent days.
Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for 2024/2025 season here
