Rookie Quansah shored up defence

JURGEN KLOPP praised 20-year-old rookie Jarell Quansah for helping to hold Liverpool’s makeshift defence together on his first start for the club. It was a baptism of fire for the young Merseysider (left), who was drafted into the centre of defence with Virgil van Dijk suspended, Joe Gomez shifted to rightback to replace injured Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate not ready for 90 minutes. In the circumstances Quansah impressed, particularly after Wolves took an early lead.

‘I have to say he did really well. He was good,’ said Klopp. ‘In such a disorganised team like we were in the first half, he was the one who looked all right. It was a statement and he is really happy.

‘As a team we were not ready in the first half, obviously. They had players in the box and we weren’t there. I know these boys. You could see in Macca (Alexis Mac Allister), they didn’t have the legs.’

Midfielder Mac Allister, who went to South America during the break to represent Argentina, was withdrawn after 45 minutes with Klopp admitting: ‘He had a yellow card and he was exhausted. He was not really disappointed to come off. I think he was rather relieved.’

Liverpool have come back to win three games from losing positions this season and Klopp feels it augurs well. ‘The boys did not want to wave the white flag and that’s good. The boys reacted well and it’s good when you can win the games when you play less well.’

Andy Robertson, who captained the team and scored his first goal since 2022, says Liverpool look more defiant this season.

He said: ‘Ideally we don’t go behind but we have already done it a few times this season and got results. Maybe last season that was our downfall. I don’t remember too many comebacks. Our away form has been good, too.’