Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has no doubt about Jarell Quansah's ability to cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Carabao Cup final.
Alexander-Arnold is confronted with an extensive enchantment on the sidelines with the ankle injury in their Champions League exit against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday. It is hoped that he will play again before the season ends.
This weekend, the end will leave without a recognized right back at Wembly, because both Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are still recovering from their own problems.
Slot has hinted that Quansah-Die Alexander-Arnold against PSG will probably fill in, spent a large part of the campaign on the outside after losing its place as the starting center of the half-time of the season opener against Ipswich.
The Dutchman, then on Premier League debut, was not happy with his defender 'loses too many duels'. But Slot is delighted about how Quansah took on that problem and sent back – earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel's first English team, something that the head -boss has only encouraged.
“If the peace is replaced during the break, almost every player has more than a few setbacks during his career,” he said. “It was more that people looked a bit like 'oooh' about what I said after the game in the sense that they were not used to a manager who was so clear about what I saw and what I did.
“In the end it probably went to a situation where he was criticized more than was normal for a player who was picked up during the break. In terms of mentality, it may have been a big moment for him, because he now experienced that people were not only positive about him like last season.
“He now also knows that he can fight his way back if people are suddenly no longer positive.
“The last few times he really did well that he had to play for us, even in a position he is not fully used to the right, but he has the qualities to play in that position.
“It is strong, fast, very comfortable with the ball and it gives us an extra quality in terms of set pieces because he was the one who was so far [measuring inches with his fingers] of us qualify for the next round by leading the ball against the post [in the second leg against PSG]. “
Although Slot has no trouble going with Quansah on Sunday – Curtis Jones is mentioned in some circles as an alternative – the blow of losing Alexander -Arnold and his assets on the ball cannot be underestimated.
“Trent is not available. He won't be there at the final, “said Slot. “He still has to be assessed how long it will take, but we expect him before the end of the season.”
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