Jarell Quansah admits this season has not been 'easy' but he is fighting to ensure it is a learning curve for him at Liverpool.
The 21-year-old defender has been pushing for first-team action this season following his breakthrough campaign under Jurgen Klopp. Quansah started the first Premier League match under Arne Slot, but was substituted at half-time against Ipswich.
He has started just one league match since then with three appearances from the bench, while he made his first Champions League starting XI against Lille earlier this week.
“Every match is a learning process for myself,” said Quansah. “I don't get too down if I make one or two mistakes. I just know I have to learn. Hopefully it will be a long career for myself.
“Try to maintain the level, don't let the highs get too high and don't get too low on the lows. “Temperament is the most important thing for me or a young central defender. Learn from the players around me.”
Quansah was not comfortable looking further from the bench with Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez ahead of him in the pecking order to partner Virgil van Dijk in the center of defence.
“I'm not going to sit here and say it's easy,” he said. “It's always difficult. But it's all about how you prepare, and how you put yourself in the best state of mind and physical condition. It's not easy when you're not in the team, but you have to do everything you can for the team. Keep pushing.”
But the young defender is well aware that it is still very early in his career and there is no need to panic just because he has not had the playing time he wants so far this season.
“I haven't changed anything,” he said. “I always look at my game, whether I'm playing good or bad. I am not yet the finished article. I'm my fiercest critic, I've always said that. But whether I play well or poorly, I will criticize myself. When I play my best games, I've probably been the harshest on myself.”
Although he has yet to fully win Slot since the Dutchman's arrival, his central defender coach has come in handy as Johnny Heitinga has passed on advice.
“I can always lean on him,” Quansah added. “He is an established centre-back with a great career, so I can always pick his head.
“He comes to me a lot too. Maybe I try to do things myself, but he comes to me and shows me clips so I can find a positive attitude for every game I play in.”
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