Jerell Quansah became Bristol Rovers' second signing of the January transfer window on Friday, and the fact he has been loaned from an elite club like Liverpool alone is a cause for intrigue.
But the verdict from Merseyside is the centre-back has been one of the most impressive players in the Reds' youth setup, and Joey Barton's recent success with highly-rated loanees like Elliot Anderson and Josh Coburn will inspire hopes he has acquired another gem for the Gas
Centre-back has been an area of priority for Barton this month after the departures of Bobby Thomas and Alfie Kilgour, and Quansah may not be the only defensive addition before the window shuts, but the reviews of the England under-19 international are certainly encouraging.
Of course, like with any young player on their first loan, there is a point to prove and Quansah will have to wait until the trip to Morecambe next week to make his bow after Rovers' Wycombe Wanderers clash on Saturday was postponed.
To find out more about Rovers' latest signing, we spoke to Paul Gorst, the Liverpool correspondent for the Liverpool Echo. You can follow him on social media here.
What style of defender is Jarell Quansah and what strengths will he offer to Joey Barton’s team?
Jarell is a very confident defender who is more than content to play higher up the pitch to keep Liverpool's youth teams on the front foot. He is strong quick and athletic.
He is also quite vocal at the back too which is always a desirable trait. He is comfortable in possession and has seemingly been encouraged to carry it out from the back if there is space. It's something Liverpool work on at all age groups, believing it frees up more space against low blocks and packed defences.
Given his natural frame, he is often unruffled by any physicality at youth level but that is something that will change once the move into senior, lower-league football begins, however.
Has he been a standout performer at age-group level for Liverpool?
Defensively, you'd have to say he has been a standout performer, yes. He has enjoyed a really good season alongside Lee Jonas at the back and he has definitely taken the more senior role in that partnership.
Quansah has been excellent, particularly throughout Liverpool's UEFA Youth League campaign so far. One game, in particular, stands out back in October when Jonas was sent off at Rangers and he ensured the Reds held firm to come away with the victory after a tough second half. He has worked his way into the England Under-19 squad as a result of his form this season.
What have Jurgen Klopp and the coaches at Liverpool said about him and his potential?
I had the chance to ask Liverpool's Under-21 manager Barry Lewtas about Jarell and external loan interest last week. I thought it was pertinent given Joey Barton was actually there to oversee a 4-2 win against PSG.
Lewtas said: "Listen, I imagine with the group that we have and the way we are playing, particularly with the way some of the boys are playing, I think if you are a manager and you were looking to loan players, this would be a good place to come and watch.
"Whether it is for this window or further down the line, maybe that's what it was (for the managers in attendance). Or maybe they just wanted to get out of the house.
"I wouldn't blame anyone wanting to come and see the lads tonight. Jarell can only perform well and do what he is doing and that is the way it works (with other clubs' interest). He's working ever so hard and his progress over the last 12 months has been brilliant.
"He has worked so hard on his game, especially out of possession and being more of a leader. I thought he was outstanding today."
He is yet to make his senior debut, but has he been around the first-team training setup?
Quansah has been on the senior Liverpool bench three times to date but, like you say, is yet to make his first-team debut. He was part of the group that flew out to Dubai for a mid-season training camp but is yet to be selected by Klopp.
He's a bit unfortunate in that centre-back is an area of the pitch where Liverpool are particularly strong. As well as Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip, Joe Gomez is also there alongside Nat Phillips, so a loan is the best path for him just now if he wants to cut his teeth in senior football.
The return of Billy Koumetio from Austria earlier this month as enabled Quansah to secure a loan move out of the club for now.
League One will pose different physical challenges. Do you believe he is ready to make the step into regular senior football?
That is the big question at the moment. His natural physical gifts make him a standout at youth level but can he adjust to the rigours of League One?
It's something that greatly benefitted Rhys Williams a couple of years ago, so Liverpool's hope is that it can have a similar impact on Quansah too as they continue to get him ready for regular senior football.
It's a much different prospect than the comfortable youth setup at Kirkby though. It's a big test for him and one that I am sure he is looking forward to tackling.
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