Jarell Quansah has opened up on his decision to leave Liverpool after signing for Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £35m
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes poses with new signing Jarell Quansah from Liverpool(Image: Simon Rolfes Linkedin)
Jarell Quansah has opened up on his Liverpool exit, revealing the role former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made in his decision. The centre-back joined Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £35m only days after winning the European Championships with England Under-21s.
The 22-year-old left Liverpool as a Premier League champion, but he endured a challenging campaign under Arne Slot. Making 25 appearances in all competitions, he started only twice in the English top-flight in his favoured centre-back position.
Quansah has admitted it was a tough decision to leave the Reds, but knew it was one he had to make in search of further first team opportunities.
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“It’s tough to leave this club where you’ve built so many relationships and friendships,” he said. “It was very emotional.
“For a long time, I didn’t know what would happen this summer. I only knew one thing: I absolutely had to play regularly to improve.
“It’s a bit crazy, and somehow it all happened so quickly. I haven’t even had a chance to say a proper goodbye yet.”
Quansah had previously impressed in his maiden season with the Liverpool first team under Klopp.
And the centre-back recalled a conversation he had with the German before his own Anfield exit in the summer of 2024 which helped inspire his decision to move on.
“At the end of his last season, we talked together about what my future might look like,” he revealed. “After that, I knew what I wanted (in my career).”
Meanwhile, Quansah also opened up on the grief he felt following the tragic passing of his former Liverpool team-mate, Diogo Jota, after the Portuguese was killed in a car crash along with his brother, Andre Silva, at the start of July.
“When the news came, I was overwhelmed with emotion,” he told Bild. “It’s so tragic for his family and everyone close to him.
“Losing a friend is incredibly painful. I knew him as a great person, a great family man, and a great footballer – it’s just incredibly sad.”