Jarell Quansah reveals what Jurgen Klopp told him ahead of Liverpool debut and how ex-boss helped decide new Bayer Leverkusen signing's future

Quansah moved to BayArena this summer in a record-breaking deal for the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions, worth €35 million (£30m/$40m) plus more in add-ons. The 22-year-old got candid in a recent interview, where he talked about his Liverpool debut and the words he exchanged with former coach Jurgen Klopp.

The ex-Liverpool player made 58 appearances for the Merseyside club, during which he scored three goals, won the 2024-25 Premier League title and also the 2024 League Cup trophy. But above all, it's his Liverpool debut that still gives him the chills. It was a match he says he won't forget, as the team made a comeback to win 2-1 against Newcastle after he came on for Joel Matip in the 77th minute. Before he came on, Klopp had a very simple message for the defender.

Talking to Sport Bild about what the coach told him ahead of his first senior appearance, he said: "I remember him coming up to me just before I came on and saying: "You're ready!" Hearing that from this legend in that moment was very comforting and gave me a lot of confidence. I was very happy he gave me that chance. We were 1-0 down and still won 2-1. Making my debut there was challenging.You can also lean on him sometimes. At the end of his last season, we talked together about what my future might look like. After that, I knew what I wanted."

Quansah made his debut for Leverkusen in their pre-season friendly against Bochum. There is still a possibility for the English defender to return to the Reds, as they have inserted a buy-back clause in his contract. But for now, the 22-year-old is focused on his life in Germany and working on his growth under head coach Erik Ten Hag.