Even the most optimistic Liverpool fans will have accepted that Jurgen Klopp will not win the Premier League title as his time winds down.

Like Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s latest legend is facing a bleak and bitter exit after a career that has left him lionized as one of the club’s most influential figures in modern history, the man who lifted a wayward club and placed it back among the trophies and Europe’s elite.

After such stellar development in the majority of the 2023/24 campaign, the draw against West Ham highlighted the key issues: poor starts, lack of unity, and defensive fragilities.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says incoming Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s priority this summer will be signing a centre-back, with teenage sensation Jarell Quansah maybe feeling the pressure of a rapid rise to the senior squad.

Quansah must be proud of his ascent to prominence this season, his steely disposition on the field, his intuitive reading of the game, and his ball-playing ability that makes him desirable to Liverpool.

He must also admit his mistakes and accept criticism to strengthen his determination and construct next season at a new stage in his team’s history.

As has happened many times in recent weeks, the 21-year-old struggled to contain West Ham and contributed to both of their goals, conceding possession to Jarrod Bowen’s opener and losing out to Michail Antonio’s free header past Alisson to restore parity.

After his tough Irons test, GOAL’s Mark Doyle gave Quansah a 4/10 match rating, writing: ‘Was looking so comfortable – especially on the ball – until a sloppy pass led to West Ham taking the lead. Then trapped in limbo when Antonio scored the equalizer.

Quansah’s ruggedness and passing talents were on exhibit at the London Stadium, as shown in the table above.

He’s clearly lacking in polish and has been a victim of his own precocity this season, thought ready to play a significant part after a League One loan last year.

Quansah ranks among the top 1% of centre-halves in Europe’s top five leagues for passes attempted, 16% for progressive passes, 20% for progressive passes, 12% for successful take-ons, 19% for shot-creating actions, and 10% for aerial duels won per 90, according to FBref.

For someone so young and inexperienced, Quansah has made 30 appearances for Liverpool this season, scoring one goal and providing three assists during the Carabao Cup run that gave the 6’5″ titan his first trophy.

His frequent start in the starting lineup shows why Romano thinks Slot will sign a new defense first.