Carsley leaves new England boss Tuchel with perfect present

It's too easy for Ramirez! Clinical Chelsea look ominous

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

The best Premier League loanees of the season so far

Kane the lock-picker! Perfect pass opens England floodgates

Three goals in 384 days: Ferguson's had a year from hell

Weghorst slammed for goal celebration after Hungary coach collapses

Scenario which could see Wrexham doc viewers switch off

'Salah is not world class!' - Ex-striker issues brutal verdict

Transfers LIVE: Neymar to make sensational Santos return

Deschamps hints at reason for Mbappe's Real Madrid struggle

AC Milan ready to bring back former star from Real Madrid

Kroos opens door to Real Madrid return 

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Liverpool had a lacklustre first-half</li><li>Slot called the shots at half-time</li><li>Quansah benched in favour of Konate</li></ul>

Arne Slot doesn't hold back when revealing why Jarell Quansah was hooked at half-time against Ipswich as fans spot Liverpool defender's reaction to early substitution

Premier League

Southampton

Ipswich

Despite a challenging first half, Liverpool managed to secure a<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/mohamed-salah-liverpool-sets-opening-day-premier-league-records-goal-assist-against-ipswich/blt5e6bfb138515ddaa" target="_blank"> 2-0 victory over newly promoted Ipswich Town</a>, thanks to second-half goals from <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/liverpool-ipswich-player-ratings-trent-alexander-arnold-mohamed-salah/blt301cab67ba3da257" target="_blank">Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah. </a>However, the conversation quickly shifted from the scoreline to Slot's rationale for pulling Quansah off the pitch at the interval, which left the defender visibly frustrated as he took his place on the bench after the two teams emerged from the tunnel.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Slot, known for his no-nonsense approach, did not mince his words when asked if the change was tactical. He said: "Yep. First thing I said is we don't have to speak about tactics if we lose so many duels and that was what we did. Not that Jarell lost every duel - many of us lost too many duels. But I think we needed Ibou Konate to win these long balls in the air from their No.9."

WHAT SLOT SAID

Quansah was frustrated at his manager's decision and eagle-eyed fans did not miss his reaction on the bench.A Liverpool fan, <a href="https://x.com/Tvya_97/status/1824802287690371459" target="_blank">@Watch_LFC</a>, wrote on X: "Quansah was taken off purely because of performance… and he does not look happy at all on the bench."While another supporter, <a href="https://x.com/Tvya_97/status/1824802287690371459" target="_blank">@Tvya_97</a>, asked: "Any update of Quansah? He looked devastated on the bench."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Statistics provided by <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/liverpool-vs-ipswich-town/2ugv0q#4506264" target="_blank">FotMob</a> offer some insight into why Slot made the change. Quansah, who had been named in the starting XI after an impressive pre-season, won half of his eight duels during the match, including two successful aerial duels out of four attempts. While these numbers aren't disastrous, they evidently did not meet Slot’s expectations for the physical demands of the game. In contrast, Ibrahima Konate, who replaced Quansah at halftime, managed to win three of his four aerial duels. Konate's physicality and ability to dominate in the air provided Liverpool with the solidity they needed to stifle Ipswich's attacking threats.

DID YOU KNOW?

Quansah will hope that Slot will hand him another opportunity to prove his mettle when Liverpool take the pitch next against Brentford at Anfield on August 25.

WHAT NEXT?

Arne Slot doesn't hold back when revealing why Jarell Quansah was hooked at half-time against Ipswich as fans spot Liverpool defender's reaction to early substitution | Goal.com Tanzania

Arne Slot produced a blunt response while explaining why Jarell Quansah was hooked at half-time against Ipswich Town.

Arne Slot doesn&apos;t hold back when revealing why Jarell Quansah was hooked at half-time against Ipswich as fans spot Liverpool defender&apos;s reaction to early substitution