Liverpool’s Van Dijk misses Toulouse trip with Quansah ready to step up
The Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk, will miss Thursday’s Europa League tie in Toulouse due to illness, and his place may be filled by a youngster whose rapid rise initially took manager Jürgen Klopp by surprise.
When the 20-year-old Jarell Quansah joined the squad for pre-season training he was not considered likely to play a role in the current campaign, and there were discussions about sending him out on loan.
Klopp decided against that and after making his debut in the 10-man win at Newcastle in August, the academy graduate has made seven appearances, including a Premier League start at Wolves and back-to-back appearances in Europe. He will be looking to add to that against Toulouse, whom Liverpool thrashed 5-1 last time out.
“Virgil is a little bit ill, it will not be a big thing but we didn’t want him on the plane and maybe others have it a little bit as well,” said Klopp. “That’s why we left him at home. It should be all right for the weekend.”
Asked about Quansah’s prospects, the German added: “If you would have asked me pre-season [if] he would be that good I would have been surprised but since then I saw him every day and I am not surprised any more.
“It’s great to have a boy from our own academy with that potential and quality. We will see where he ends up but it is extremely promising. There was talk about him going on loan and we said no – that was obviously a very good decision.”
Klopp’s biggest selection problem appears to be in midfield as Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are also sidelined. “Ryan got a little niggle in the knee. He was running already today but there was no chance for this game,” Klopp said. “We hope there is a chance for Brentford and he will definitely be back after the international break.”
Jones missed Sunday’s draw at Luton with a “low-grade” hamstring problem that Klopp said will keep
him out for a couple of weeks but with Thiago Alcântara and Stefan Bajcetic long-term absentees, midfield resources are stretched.
Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott look certain to start as Liverpool aim to qualifify for the knockout stages with two matches to spare and Alexis Mac Allister could be favourite for the third spot as he is suspended for Sunday’s game against Brentford, although Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and 19year-old James McConnell could also feature.
Sunday’s goalscorer Luis Díaz has also travelled as he awaits further news on the status of his father after his kidnapping in Colombia.
“Always positive signs but not real news,” said Klopp. “He decided [to rejoin the squad] last week because he cannot go to Colombia – that will not be the case in the moment – and when he is here training and around matches it is a safe place. He wants to be with us, he has travelled and is available.”
After their hammering at Anfield last time out, the Toulouse coach, Carles Martínez, is looking for improvement. “It’s true that 5-1 is a pretty heavy score. The result is severe but we have gained experience,” he said. “We don’t keep this match in mind. We think about what we can improve. It is mainly the mental qualities that will be the most important.”