Van Dijk insists Quansah is 'READY' to step up after Matip's ACL injury

Virgil van Dijk says 20-year-old defender Jarell Quansah is more than ready to step up and play a pivotal role in Liverpool’s successes after it was confirmed that Joel Matip has ruptured his ACL and will likely not play again this season.

Matip immediately gestured to be substituted during a 50-50 challenge in Liverpool’s win over Fulham on Sunday and scans revealed that the 32-year-old will require surgery. That will likely end his season and perhaps his Reds career, with his contract up in the summer.

It leaves Liverpool thin on the ground in defensive areas with just captain Van Dijk, injury-prone Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, who is also used as a back-up full-back. But Englishman Quansah has taken every opportunity so far and will continue to do so, says Van Dijk.

‘Every time he has had the opportunity so far he has done well,’ said the captain. ‘When the moment is there for him - like every other player who will come in when we rotate or have injuries or suspensions - they have to be ready.

‘That goes for him as well. We still have Ibou, Joey, but Jarell is a very good option as well. In general, for all the younger generation, if you are close to the first team and training with us, you have to soak everything in. And he is doing well.’

Quansah spent time on loan at League One Bristol Rovers last season and Klopp admitted recently that even he was surprised at the fast progress the youngster has made. He has earned call-ups and played for England’s Under 21s team in the last months.

The Warrington-born defender joined Liverpool aged five and captained the Reds’ Under 18s to the FA Youth Cup final in 2021. Van Dijk added: ‘He’s a good boy. It’s good to see. He wants to learn and he is learning. Like every one of us.

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