Liverpool's decision to hold onto Jarell Quansah suggests the promising young defender is set for a significant role under new head coach Arne Slot.
Slot, 45, has taken over from fan favorite Jurgen Klopp after his departure earlier this summer, and he's already getting down to business. Working alongside Liverpool's new sporting director Richard Hughes, Slot is expected to tweak his squad, with Anthony Gordon emerging as a potential target following an unexpected approach from Newcastle.
As initially reported by the Daily Mail, Newcastle was willing to part ways with Gordon to meet the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules before June 30, and Liverpool is known to be a fan of the 23-year-old England international.
READ MORE: Anfield needs restoration after Taylor Swift and Pink concerts before Arne Slot pre-season
READ MORE: 5 players Liverpool could sign for free today including Euro 2024 stars and Man Utd flop
However, despite the opportunity to sign Gordon, negotiations between Liverpool and Newcastle fell through as the latter team wanted Quansah to move in the opposite direction - a proposal Liverpool flatly refused.
Quansah, 21, made a name for himself in the first team last season after impressing under Klopp. He racked up 33 appearances across all competitions and even made it into England's provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, although he was later dropped.
Liverpool's commitment to keeping Quansah in the fold suggests that he, along with other young talents like Conor Bradley, Lewis Koumas, and Jayden Danns who shone under Klopp last term, will be integral to Slot's strategy going forward.
Back in January, Klopp was full of praise for Quansah, admitting that his standout pre-season performances were the reason the Reds didn't hunt for defensive additions in the summer.
Klopp said of the youngster: "The pre-season was super positive, super positive. We wanted to... so we got asked a lot that we have to sign a new centre-half. And obviously we were thinking about that as well, it’s not that we ignore potential issues or whatever.
"But when we saw him, it was clear that we will not go for it. That we will have our own solution. And without knowing how much game time he will get already this year. Because of the situation and because of his development, he is obviously now a proper, proper part of the squad, a proper part of the rotation.
"It’s not about performing, they all are good, it’s about how can you share intensity and he plays an important role... It’s an interesting package. I’m really excited about it."
