Virgil van Dijk says 20-year-old defender Jarell Quansah is more than ready to step up and play a pivotal role in Liverpool’s successes after it was confirmed that Joel Matip has ruptured his ACL and will likely not play again this season.
Matip immediately gestured to be substituted during a 50-50 challenge in Liverpool’s win over Fulham on Sunday and scans revealed that the 32-year-old will require surgery. That will likely end his season and perhaps his Reds career, with his contract up in the summer.
It leaves Liverpool thin on the ground in defensive areas with just captain Van Dijk, injury-prone Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, who is also used as a back-up full-back.