Virgil van Dijk says 20-year-old defender Jarell Quansah is more than ready to step up and play a pivotal role in Liverpool’s successes after it was confirmed that Joel Matip has ruptured his ACL and will likely not play again this season.
Matip immediately gestured to be substituted during a 50-50 challenge in Liverpool’s win over Fulham on Sunday and scans revealed that the 32-year-old will require surgery. That will likely end his season and perhaps his Reds career, with his contract up in the summer.
It leaves Liverpool thin on the ground in defensive areas with just captain Van Dijk, injury-prone Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, who is also used as a back-up full-back. But Englishman Quansah has taken every opportunity so far and will continue to do so, says Van Dijk.
‘Every time he has had the opportunity so far he has done well,’ said the captain. ‘When the moment is there for him – like every other player who will come in when we rotate or have injuries or suspensions – they have to be ready.
‘That goes for him as well. We still have Ibou, Joey, but Jarell is a very good option as well. In general, for all the younger generation, if you are close to the first team and training with us, you have to soak everything in. And he is doing well.’
Virgil van Dijk says 20-year-old defender Jarell Quansah (above) is more than ready to step up
‘Every time (Quansah) has had the opportunity so far he has done well,’ the Reds captain said
Quansah spent time on loan at League One Bristol Rovers last season and Klopp admitted recently that even he was surprised at the fast progress the youngster has made.
He has earned call-ups and played for England’s Under 21s team in the last months.
The Warrington-born defender joined Liverpool aged five and captained the Reds’ Under 18s to the FA Youth Cup final in 2021.
Van Dijk added: ‘He’s a good boy. It’s good to see. He wants to learn and he is learning. Like every one of us.
‘If you told me at the start of the season that he would be doing as well as he is doing, I would say you are lying. He is progressing, learning and wants to do it as well. When he keeps doing that, we will see what the future brings for him but it looks quite bright.’
Van Dijk and Gomez also suffered ACL injuries and the captain said he feels an added responsibility to help Matip through the ‘difficult’ period that lies ahead for the former Cameroon international and his family.
Joel Matip ruptured his ACL against Fulham on Sunday and will likely not play again this season
Warrington-born defender Quansah joined Liverpool at the age of just five and captained the Reds’ Under 18s to the FA Youth Cup final in 2021, before moving into the Reds’ senior squad
‘I feel very sorry for him and his family,’ said Van Dijk on Matip. ‘It hurts for all of us. Joel is a fantastic player and has been for so many years. As a friend, it’s difficult to see. Knowing what he will go through now, the next weeks, months, it’s tough.
‘We are here for him. Whenever he needs us we will be here for him. Let’s see how it goes. Let’s hope the surgery will go well and the route to getting back starts. I reached out to him already. I spoke to Joey (Gomez) after we got the news.
‘Me and Joey can relate. We know what he will go through, what his family will go through. It’s not easy. With the support he will get from us as a team, that’s the least we can do and we will do.’
Matip’s blow adds to a mounting injury crisis at Liverpool. Alisson, Andy Robertson, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are all on the sidelines. Alexis Mac Allister required stitches in his knee last night and was hobbling when he got on to the team bus after the Reds’ win at Sheffield United – but he should be OK for the weekend.
