Liverpool Could Sign £50m Jarell Quansah Upgrade Who’s Tipped to Be “One of the World’s Best”
Joe Gomez holds the title of Liverpool’s longest-serving senior player. The England international joined the club from Charlton Athletic in 2015 for a fee of approximately £3.5 million when he was still a teenager. Since then, he has been a crucial figure under the management of Jurgen Klopp.
Despite being only 27 years old, Gomez has achieved significant success with Liverpool, having made 224 appearances across various positions in the backline. His versatility and contributions have led pundit Steve McManaman to describe him as “absolutely priceless.”
However, in the world of football, no player is truly “priceless,” and there have been rumors of Gomez potentially leaving Liverpool as the club enter the Arne Slot era. After nearly ten years of dedicated service, Gomez has earned the right to explore new opportunities, though Liverpool would need to find a suitable replacement if he departs.
Gomez was absent from Liverpool’s matchday squad for the opening game of the Premier League season, where the team secured a 2-0 victory against Ipswich Town, with goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.
Last season, Klopp utilised Gomez in both full-back positions, but if he remains at Liverpool, Slot might consider him as an athletic central defender, given that Gomez has played 114 games as a center-back during his career.
Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Newcastle United have all shown interest in Gomez, and it is possible that he could leave the club. If he does, Liverpool must act swiftly to secure the ideal replacement.
One potential candidate is Piero Hincapie. According to Studio Futbol, Liverpool are set to compete with Tottenham Hotspur for the signing of the Bayer Leverkusen center-back. However, Bayer Leverkusen’s manager, Xabi Alonso, is reportedly reluctant to part with his key defensive player.
Hincapie, a left-footed defender, seems like a natural successor to Virgil van Dijk, who has been a dominant force on the left side of Liverpool’s defence.
Liverpool have yet to make a senior signing this summer, making them the only club among Europe’s top seven leagues in this position. With the funds available, securing the £50 million-rated Hincapie would require determination and skillful negotiation.
Jarell Quansah’s Place in Slot’s Team
Slot is known for his straightforward approach. The ex-manager of Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar made a significant decision by substituting Quansah at half-time during the match at Portman Road. He was evidently dissatisfied with Liverpool’s intensity and precision during a sluggish first half.
When asked about his choice after the match, Slot curtly confirmed that the substitution was purely tactical. Quansah, 21, had been given a considerable vote of confidence by starting over Ibrahima Konate for the first game. However, he appeared upset and frustrated, sitting down heavily after the break while watching his team dominate the second half.
While Van Dijk remains a guaranteed starter in Liverpool’s defence, his partner in the backline is still uncertain. There is speculation that FSG might look to enhance the squad by signing a player like Hincapie.
Any potential signing would require careful consideration. Both Quansah and Konate have their shortcomings—Quansah with his lack of experience, and Konate with his occasional impulsiveness and inconsistency.
| Premier League 23/24: Ibrahima Konate vs Jarell Quansah | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistic (*per game) | Konate | Quansah |
| Matches (starts) | 22 (17) | 17 (13) |
| Goals | 0 | 2 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Clean sheets | 5 | 2 |
| Touches* | 75.5 | 76.5 |
| Pass completion | 88% | 89% |
| Key passes* | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Ball recoveries* | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Tackles* | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Total duels won* | 6.0 (66%) | 4.5 (64%) |
| Errors made | 1 | 2 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
However, as demonstrated in the table above, both players are elite defenders, possessing exceptional skills and fitting perfectly into the passing style that Slot aims to establish.
It would certainly take an exciting player to join the ranks and thrive in this environment.
Why Piero Hincapié Should Be Liverpool’s Next Signing
Hincapie, 22, has already been tipped to become “one of the world’s best centre-backs” by journalist and U23 scout Antonio Mango, who has also dubbed him an “absolute beast”.
After securing the domestic double last season as an unbeaten team, the Ecuadorian international has kicked off the 2024/25 season in impressive fashion, playing a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s third trophy of 2024, with a victory over Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup last weekend.
Liverpool should spare no effort in pursuing the 22-year-old this summer, particularly if Gomez is set to be sold.
While Quansah is a top-tier defender with the potential for even greater achievements, Hincapié could surpass his English counterpart and establish himself as a regular starter for Liverpool in the years to come.
| 23/24 Stats: Jarell Quansah vs Piero Hincapie | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | Quansah | Hincapie |
| Pass completion | 88% | 91% |
| Progressive passes | 5.08 | 6.18 |
| Shot-creating actions | 0.98 | 1.39 |
| Progressive carries | 0.98 | 2.06 |
| Ball recoveries | 5.45 | 4.73 |
| Tackles + interceptions | 3.18 | 2.91 |
| Errors | 0.08 | 0.00 |
| Stats Source: FBref | ||
With his imposing build and precise passing abilities, Quansah has the potential to thrive on Merseyside. However, Hincapie surpasses him in this area, showcasing the qualities of a top-tier ball player.
The Ecuadorian star’s consistent ability to navigate the channels and create opportunities is impressive, and like Quansah, he is only set to improve with time.
In the end, comparing these two center-backs feels like a fine distinction, and there’s no reason why they can’t form a strong defensive partnership under Slot’s guidance for years to come.
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool Wonderkid Breaks Impressive “World Record” in Skill Challenge with Diaz, Nunez and A New Athletico Madrid’s Player
