Virgil van Dijk gives advice to 'outstanding' Jarell Quansah

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has called on Jarell Quansah to 'keep working' after an 'outstanding' full debut for the Reds.

20-year-old Quansah earned his first start for the Reds in the 3-1 win over Wolves at the weekend, impressing at the back alongside Joel Matip, in the absence of Van Dijk, who was serving the final match of the suspension he received for the red card against Newcastle.

Quansah, who spent part of last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, earned praise from Jurgen Klopp after an assured performance at Molineux and looks set for a bright future at Anfield.

Speaking ahead of the Europa League clash against LASK, Van Dijk said of his young teammate (via Liverpoolfc.com): "Well, particularly on the weekend, he was outstanding in my opinion.

"To play away at Wolves, difficult game, but I think for the amount of time he played he was outstanding.

"For him to stay cool-headed, do the job, he was very solid, someone you could build in that game and it was great to see. I was very proud and pleased for him. He should just see it as a start - but it’s a very good start. He has to keep going, keep working, keep learning, but he is at a great club, a great environment and a great team in my opinion, so just keep going.

"Hopefully he will be very important both now and in the future for the club."

Quansah, who also made substitute appearances against Newcastle and Aston Villa, joined Liverpool's academy at the age of five and was part of the England team that won the Under-19s European Championships in 2022.

His 16 appearances at Bristol Rovers in 2022/23 marked his only senior football prior to making his debut for his boyhood club this season. The Daily Mail report that Klopp 'vetoed' the idea of Quansah going out on loan again this year.

READ MORE: Jarell Quansah – Liverpool's next academy star

Quansah is one of several additions to a distinctly new-look Liverpool this season, with Van Dijk talking about the 'potential' of his in-form side.

"We are working very hard each and every day - that was from the first day of pre-season," he added.

"New players came in, young players coming through, different roles for certain players and everyone is getting used to that. I see a lot of potential, I see a lot of good things already and the results have been there. But we take it game by game, that’s always how it has been and even in our successful years over the last [few] years and we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves."