'The sky's the limit!' - Van Dijk singles out young defensive colleague for praise

Centre back Jarell Quansah has been one of Liverpool’s unsung heroes throughout an injury-ravaged season for the Anfield side. 

With Joel Matip out for the long term, Ibrahima Konate currently unfit and Joe Gomez covering absences in the full back and midfield positions, the 21-year-old had racked up 23 appearances at the heart of the Reds’ defence. 

It’s been an astonishing rise for the homegrown defender, who last season found himself out on loan at League One Bristol Rovers. 

He was nonetheless retained by Jurgen Klopp around the first team this season and hasn't looked back since making his debut back in August. 

Quansah might not have expected to play on Sunday afternoon in the crucial top-of-the-table Premier League showdown with Manchester City but a late withdrawal by Konate opened the door to yet another opportunity. 

The Frenchman picked up a knock in the midweek Europa League demolition job against Sparta Prague, meaning he would be ruled out of the weekend game against City. 

Klopp had no qualms about using Quansah from the outset and he did not let his manager down. 

No Liverpool player made more passes on the day than Quansah’s total of 77. He won 100 percent of his aerial duels, meanwhile, and made keeping Erling Haaland quiet look easy. 

It was only his ninth Premier League match but he looks like he’s been playing at the highest level for years. 

Van Dijk says the sky's the limit for Quansah

After the game he was singled out for praise by his captain Virgil van Dijk, who believes with hard work and humility Quansah can achieve anything. 

“It's a nice story,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports. “For himself, I think when he came in in pre-season, coming back from loan, I don't think he would have thought that we would play for the title and he's starting. 

“He's been important. Every challenge that was thrown his way, he dealt with outstandingly. The sky is the limit, so he just has to stay humble and keep working hard and keep improving because there will be a lot of bumps along the road.”