Football
Arne Slot explains why Jarell Quansah was subbed off at half time
Jarell Quansah was withdrawn at half time at Ipswich and Arne Slot has explained the reason he did not see out the first Premier League game of the season.
The 21-year-old was named in the starting XI at Portman Road, selected ahead of Ibrahima Konate after a strong pre-season.
But Quansah did not emerge after the half-time break, with Konate taking his place next to Virgil van Dijk instead – an odd first substitute on the face of it.
Konate had been warming up on the touchline before the first 45 minutes had concluded and Quansah cut a disappointed figure on the bench when the camera cut to him.
On the substitution, Slot explained that it was a tactical change, telling TNT Sports: “First thing I said was we don’t have to speak about tactics if we lose so many duels and that’s what we did.
“That’s not that Jarell lost every duel – many of us lost too many duels – but I think we needed Ibou Konate to win these long balls in the air from the No. 9.
“So that helps, that gave us control but they put so, so, so much energy in the first half.”
FotMob tells us that Quansah won half of his eight duels on Saturday, including two successful aerial duels from four attempted.
During Konate’s time on the pitch, he managed to win three of his four aerial duels.
"The second half was a joy to watch"
Arne Slot reflects on his Liverpool side's first Premier League Game of the season ?
?? @lynseyhipgrave1 | @Petercrouch pic.twitter.com/2cb9WVk8yY
“We lost almost every long ball, every duel to both sides and in the second half we was ready,” Slot continued.
“I don’t think our problem in the first half was our midfield. I think our problem in the first half was more that we lost too many duels – our defenders lost too many and our attackers didn’t win enough.”
Having Konate on the pitch also allowed Trent Alexander-Arnold to influence the game more, as he played something closer to his inverted role of last season.
Quansah is clearly the better player with the ball at his feet but for more physical tests, Slot could turn to the Frenchman this season.
Next up for Liverpool is a home match against Brentford, a game in which they will be expected to control possession.
Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool
- MATCH REPORT: Arne Slot era begins with a win
- PLAYER RATINGS: 4 players are at the top with 8s!
- TALKING POINTS: Salah’s competition and Gravenberch as No.6
- FANS REACT: Gravenberch proves he can “run the show”
- SALAH RECORD: ANOTHER record for Mo – and it’s only the first game!
-
Football16m ago
Lionel Messi left out of Argentina's squad for World Cup qualifiers: Will he make it to the 2026 World Cup?
-
Football16m ago
Man City's new approach, Arsenal's consistency and who is the real Liverpool? Opening week PL questions
-
Football1h ago
Why is Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé taking legal action against PSG? What is he due from his former club?
-
Football5h ago
Big Sunday Night Serie A Move Has Celtic Matt O’Riley Implications
-
Football5h ago
Daizen Maeda’s Humble Celtic Post After Star Performance
-
Football5h ago
Ryan Gravenberch proves he can “run the show” in “encouraging” No. 6 outing
-
Football5h ago
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe held scoreless in La Liga debut as Los Blancos earn frustrating draw at Mallorca
-
Football5h ago
WATCH: Timothy Weah scores his first Serie A goal for Juventus in 2024 season opener against Como