Reaction'Working tirelessly' – Jarell Quansah details squad's adaptation to Slot style

Three weeks to the day that pre-season started under the new head coach, the Reds beat the La Liga side 1-0 in Pittsburgh courtesy of a first-half Dominik Szoboszlai goal.

Quansah began the encounter and went on to play a little over an hour, and the centre-back was both encouraged by and eager to improve upon the display.

“A lot to be pleased about but again a lot to work on,” the No.78 said during a post-match interview with Liverpoolfc.com at Acrisure Stadium.

“We’re still forming new relationships and forming sort of the way the gaffer wants us to play really. It’s just about putting that together and it will come together for sure.”

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Quansah continued: “It’s just about how quick we adapt really. Playing next to players who are probably not used to those positions, and the new style and new formation.

“It’ll all come together at some point, it’s just about how fast that is. We’re working tirelessly on the pitch and on the training pitch especially, there’s been a lot of double sessions, there’s so much tactical work and so much stuff we need to take in.

“We’re doing that and hopefully bit by bit it will come.”

With a number of players still to rejoin the group following their participation at the European Championship or Copa America, there were several younger members of the squad involved versus Betis.

By contrast, Quansah was one of the more experienced to feature – an added layer of responsibility the defender is comfortable taking on.

“It’s a lot different, to be fair. Obviously you have to take the onus on yourself to really lead the back line and try to help everyone out,” he said.

“It’s a new system for everyone so I think everyone is still learning, which is the good thing. You’ve got bright, fresh players who are eager to learn and it’s just about implementing that.”

That increased level of maturity comes as a result of the breakthrough season Quansah enjoyed with Liverpool in 2023-24.

There were 33 appearances, three goals and a Carabao Cup winner’s medal for him, before being named in the provisional England squad for Euro 2024.

Asked about the target of continuing such progress, Quansah replied: “Yeah, that’s it, it’s all about kicking on. It’s all about trying to improve in each session.

“I’m still learning. I’m going to make mistakes, I’m going to keep getting better and better. That’s the plan for me at the minute, I’m still only young and it’s just about taking each minute I can and trying to be the best I can on the pitch.”