Jarell Quansah's blunt response to Joel Matip injury question shows exactly why Jurgen Klopp loves him

Liverpool star Jarell Quansah gave a blunt response when asked about Joel Matip's knee injury that proves why he has risen quickly up the Anfield ranks.

The 20-year-old scored his first senior goal for Liverpool in their 2-1 defeat to Union SG on Thursday, smashing in an effort from 12 yards.

After spending last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, Quansah has become a regular fixture in Liverpool's squad in both the Europa League and the Premier League.

He has also earned call-ups to the England U21 squad, and played 90 minutes in their 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in European Championship qualifiers last month.

Quansah's performances have been such that Reds fans believe he could replace Joel Matip after the Cameroonian suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this month.

With his contract expiring this summer, the 32-year-old could have played his last game for Liverpool - and Quansah might be the player to benefit from that.

And when asked about his team-mate's injury, Quansah sent a message of support to the veteran defender - before proving exactly why manager Jurgen Klopp has placed so much faith in him this season.

He told LFCTV: "It's a shame what's happened to Joel and my condolences go out to him, but my idea was to try and get over him anyway and try and be a starting centre-back in the Premier League.

"Hopefully more opportunities come, and I'm trying to be the best that I can be."

While Matip's injury is devastating for Liverpool, it provides an opportunity for other players to step up - and that is surely a message that Klopp has been echoing to the defender's team-mates as the table-topping Reds enter a critical point in the season.

With Quansah already proving his worth this season, he will be hoping to beat Ibrahima Konate to the second central defensive spot alongside Virgil van Dijk when Liverpool take on Manchester United this Sunday.