ReactionHow Europa League tests are benefiting Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah explained how regular opportunities in the Europa League this season have massively aided his development.
The 21-year-old made his sixth appearance in the competition on Thursday evening by playing all of Liverpool's 5-1 win at Sparta Prague in the first leg of the last-16 tie.
It proved to be another valuable experience for Quansah, who stands ready to be called upon if required for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Manchester City.
The defender told Liverpoolfc.com: "I'm just always learning – I think that's the stage of my career that I'm at.
"I'm not going to be perfect all the time and I know that, so it's just taking lessons against tough strikers, European strikers. It's going to be good for me in the long run.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game. They possess a lot of quality in the top half of the pitch especially. We rode our luck at times, I think, so there were things that we needed to work on when we came in at half-time. Just thankful we got the win and it was a convincing one."
On the upcoming City game, he said: "I'm just excited. You never know what could happen. No matter who plays, we've got quality to really go for the game and win the game. Whatever the team will be, we'll wait for that."
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring against Sparta from the penalty spot early on and Darwin Nunez then made it 3-0 with two brilliant strikes before half-time.
Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai increased Liverpool's advantage in the second half, during which Mohamed Salah stepped off the bench to make his comeback from injury.
"His confidence must be sky-high at the minute," Quansah said of Nunez. "I think every time he's shooting, it's going in at the minute! I'm happy for him that that's the case.
"With all our front players, we've got so much quality. As long as we keep the ball out of the net at the other end, we score goals and that's shown throughout the season.
"We went through a tough period with injuries. Boys stepped up when they needed to, no matter their age. To be having the experience and the class of players that are coming back, it's much-needed. For a game like City, it's going to be great."
