Liverpool have had their fair share of elite level defenders in their time and there is still room to add some to the list.

The Reds are often praised for their attacking prowess but the solidity of their defence deserves just as much credit.

Virgil van Dijk has revolutionised this area of the pitch ever since he arrived and now he is a role model to those coming through.

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One player trying to make a name for himself in the red of Liverpool is Jarell Quansah, and he has done just that since making his debut two years ago.

The 22-year-old is a regular in the first-team squad and is given his fair share of minutes, although his desire for more means he is linked with a move away.

However, there is still a chance that he can become a stalwart at the back for the Reds, with his inspiration doing just that and proving to be one of Liverpool’s best-ever coups.



Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

Finding a top-quality centre-back today is not just hard, but when you do, it often comes with a hefty price tag attached.

Joel Matip proved to be a needle in a haystack for the Reds back in 2016 and he turned out to be one of Liverpool’s best centre-backs under Jurgen Klopp, made better by the fact he was free.

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Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Quansah named Matip as his inspiration and referenced one trait in particular that he would love to have in his repertoire.

“We had Joel Matip at Liverpool and I couldn’t believe how well he could step into midfield and keep the ball,’ Quansah said.

“It looks easy sometimes when you’re stepping in and you’re just going past players, but knowing there’s three or four players either side of you and trying to make the right pass is so difficult.

“It’s definitely a skill I’ve not mastered, but seeing players like Joel do it and the way he did it with such success, I can only aspire to be that sort of player.”

READ MORE: How ‘exceptional’ Liverpool player could step up if Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas depart this summer

Matip was key in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League winning campaign and played over 200 times for the club, a statistic that would have been much higher if he didn’t struggle with injuries.

This is what subsequently ended his career and after his contract ran out at Anfield in 2024, the Cameroonian decided to hang up his boots for good.

Klopp loved a bargain and nurturing players into elite talents, although even he could never have imagined just how good Matip would go on to be.

Speaking after the centre-back’s departure in 2024, Klopp said: “Have you ever seen a better free transfer?

“In Joel Matip you will never find a more likeable person.

He is ridiculously funny and a wonderful man and he has a wonderful family.

“He has to make the decision whether he plays on or not, but whoever gets him is a lucky club because he’s world class but also super humble, that together is now really rare.”

Unfortunately, no club was lucky enough to see Matip play for their club, although that makes him extra special and adored by Liverpool fans.