Liverpool manager Arne Slot explained his decision to take Jarell Quansah off at half-time in the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday.
The Reds got a simple win against the newly promoted side thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah to put them at the top of the table, at least temporarily.
But one of the topics of discussion was Quansah’s removal from the team in the second half, with Ibrahima Konate emerging in his position after the break.
The 21-year-old had been forged at the back and understood that the centre-back had not suffered any injuries at Portman Road. Asked about the substitution, Slot clarified that it is a tactical replacement aimed at protecting the Reds’ defence from Ipswich’s aerial risk.
“The first thing I said [to the team at half-time] was that we don’t want to talk about tactics if we lose so many games,” Slot told TNT Sports after the match.
“It’s not like Jarell has lost too many matches. We needed Konate to win a lot of balls in the air from his number nine [Liam Delap]. That helped us and gave us control. I don’t think Ipswich was going to keep up the speed. the second half. “
Quansah has become a serious competitor for his spouse Virgil van Dijk this season after making 33 appearances in his grand crusade with Jurgen Klopp.
Slot also opted for him over Konate and left Joe Gomez absolutely out of the team, which can be seen as a huge show of confidence in the youngster.
But the defender did not look at all satisfied as he slumped in his chair on the Liverpool bench shortly before the start of the second game in Suffolk.
It’s the look of a guy who owns himself at FPL. We are sorry @Jarell_Quansahpic. twitter. com/9QN5cz0M5q
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Despite an impressive performance from his team on day one, Slot was keen to highlight his players’ lack of preference in the first forty-five minutes.
“If a team is playing full court 1-on-1, don’t play with the ball all the time,” Slot added. “I didn’t see them [their players] fighting for it in the first half, we lost almost all the long balls.
“At that moment they were ready, then the gaps widened and we can see that we can play quite intelligent football. “
Slot will now have his first game at Anfield in a competitive environment after passing his first test, with the Reds Brentford in 8 days’ time on Merseyside.
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