Quansah credits £35m Liverpool exit as the 'tough decision' that earned his World Cup place

Jarell Quansah has credited his £35m move from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen as the defining choice that put him on the plane to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, admitting it was a “really tough decision” to walk away from the club where he grew up.

The 23-year-old centre-back left Anfield last summer seeking the consistent game time he felt he needed to develop, and the gamble has paid off. Regular starts in the Bundesliga and Champions League appearances against top English sides helped him cement his place as a Thomas Tuchel favourite, earning a World Cup squad berth.

“Last summer it was a really tough decision, to be honest, to walk away from my boyhood club — a club I’ve been at all my life,” Quansah said. “But I just knew it was the best thing that I needed for my career, to be playing week in week out. People who know me know I back myself no matter what and I feel like I’m capable of playing at the highest level and I wanted to show that this season.”

Quansah was careful not to frame his progress as a reflection on Liverpool, insisting the improvement stems from accumulated experience rather than a change of scenery. “I don’t really look at it like that, to be honest. I’m just working hard every day, working hard each game. I feel like with every game I play, I’m getting better. I’m only young, so as long as I keep my head down, I keep grafting away, I know I’m going to be in a good place.”

His Champions League campaign proved particularly valuable. “It was massive for me playing in the Champions League. We played top teams in England and we played well, so it was always good to play well in those games — you can never take those nights for granted, they’re so special.”

Leverkusen will not be in the Champions League next season, but Quansah is focused on the immediate opportunity ahead of him. “There’s always opportunities in another environment to show yourself. I just need games. I needed experience and I still need games and experience to keep going.”

Tuchel values Quansah’s versatility across the defensive line — he can operate at right back and centre-half — and the defender is expected to see meaningful minutes at the tournament. His selection represents the reward, he says, for 12 months of deliberate, unglamorous work. “To be rewarded being selected for the World Cup is an absolute honour and it’s all down to hard work I’ve put in over the past 12 months.”