NewsJarell Quansah interview: 'Me being calm, that's when I play football best'

The 21-year-old is in the final stretch of an impressive breakthrough campaign in Jürgen Klopp's team, having totalled 26 appearances in 2023-24 so far.

While naturally delighted at any opportunity for senior game time, Quansah is drawing even more satisfaction from directly helping the Reds with their pursuit to lift the Premier League and Europa League.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: "When I was younger, I always wanted to be part of title races and competing for trophies. That's always been my main goal to be a part of that, and to be a part of this team has been special.

"Me being calm, I think that's when I play football best. I can help people as well. If some of the younger lads see me being nervous, maybe they might replicate the same energy. I can just be myself and show my capabilities.

"It's a healthy balance. I think the gaffer says if you're not feeling nerves, you might not be ready for stuff – I completely agree with that.

"If you're too calm, you can be a bit complacent and can get caught out at times. [There is a] healthy balance between the both. Feeling a bit of butterflies can always make you perform better."

Quansah has smashed the appearance target he had in his mind when entering this campaign, which followed a productive loan in League One with Bristol Rovers.

He feels he thrives on the pressure of being required to come in and deliver at the highest level, where there is very little margin for error.

"I'd say I do because I think when I've progressed through the age groups, especially since I turned 18, I've had to be one of the main players because I was captain," the No.78 continued.

"I've always enjoyed the pressure, I've always enjoyed leading groups and being a main part of a team. To be given a little glimpse of that now is good.

"I remember speaking to Con [Bradley] and he was saying probably 10 [appearances] in all competitions would be great!

"I'm always prepared for any eventuality at the end of the day but sometimes it's a bit crazy to see I've played in so many games because it's flying by. The games are relentless really."

Alexis Mac Allister was the latest teammate in a long list to laud Quansah's all-round skillset, describing him as 'amazing' in last weekend's victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Quansah returned those compliments to the obvious Carlsberg Player of the Match from that 2-1 win at Anfield.

"He's a magician. He's so comfortable," the centre-half said of Mac Allister. "I think I'm calm on the ball but I think he's another level!

"The stuff he does, the way he uses his body, you can pass him the ball and you know he's going to get on the half-turn and play forward.

"It's good to have those players in your team. What he's doing for our identity this year has been vital and he has been a crucial part."

Quansah and his teammates had to – once again – come from behind against Brighton to take all three points.

But their focus moved pretty much immediately onto the next challenge standing in their way, with Sheffield United arriving in L4 on Thursday night (7.30pm BST kick-off).

"It's going to be the same after every game this season now," Quansah stated. "That one is left in the past. We review it a little bit today and we'll pick what we need to pick apart, but that's it.

"It's all about the results and just trying to churn out win after win. Hopefully that puts us in a good place by the end of the season.

"At the end of the day it's three points that are up for grabs. They [Sheffield United] are still fighting to stay in the league and they have got their own cause of why they need to win.

"They're going to come for it and we know that. So it's vital we stay locked in to what we need to do and give it everything."

Quansah finished by explaining how the Anfield crowd has been a crucial factor in Liverpool's unbeaten home record so far this term and how the fortress can make its impact count once more.

He said: "I'd hate to be in the opposition changing room! Once we have momentum and feed the crowd with our energy and what we do on the pitch, it's near-impossible for teams to get out of it once it's started really."