Ex-Liverpool star reveals real reason behind exit after Arne Slot struggles

Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has opened up on his reasons for leaving Anfield. Quansah was among the high-profile sales signed off by the Reds after their Premier League triumph, joining Bayer Leverkusen for £35million, and admits a desire for regular minutes factored into his decision.

Quansah started Arne Slot's first Premier League match, against Ipswich Town in August 2024, but was substituted at half-time and failed to displace Ibrahima Konate during the remainder of the season. The centre-back completed the full 90 in just three of Liverpool's 38 league games, two of those after they had already made sure of top spot, after failing to convince Slot of his qualities.

With a World Cup on the horizon next summer, a move looked necessary if he was to give himself any chance of making Thomas Tuchel's squad in North America. It's so far so good for Quansah, who was an unused substitute against Serbia in September and is part of Tuchel's selection for the upcoming games against Wales and Latvia.

Quansah appreciates the footballing education he has received at Anfield, but maintains the time was right to move on. "I have been learning from some of the best players around me at the time at Liverpool," he said.

"Being able to do that has been so good for my career. It has always been a big part of it. At this part of my career, 22 turning 23 [in January], I need hundreds of games to be where I want to be. I think overall that's why the decision was made and why I thought going abroad was best for me."

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Quansah has already impressed for England at age group level. He played every minute of last summer's European Under-21 Championships, helping Lee Carsley's Young Lions go all the way in Slovakia.

The final of that tournament came against Germany, with England winning 3-2 after extra-time. A number of opponents from that German side are now opponents at club level, with Quansah scoring on his Bundesliga debut for Leverkusen and starting all six of their league matches.

There has been a bit of disruption amid all of his progress, though. Erik ten Hag signed the defender over the summer but lasted just two league games before getting the sack, though his successor Kasper Hjulmand clearly considers Quansah part of his plans.

The Englishman started in a back three on Saturday as Hjulmand's team beat Union Berlin 2-0, extending their unbeaten league record to five games on the bounce and climbing up to fifth in the table. Quansah has also started both of Leverkusen's Champions League matches, draws against FC Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven, with a big test against holders Paris Saint-Germain next up.

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