England international shares primary reason to leave Liverpool

Liverpool’s sale of Jarell Quansah and current defensive injuries leave the Reds short at centre-back, raising the likelihood of conceded goals. Punters might back bets on Liverpool failing to keep a clean sheet, matches going over 2.5 goals, or consider draw/away value in upcoming league fixtures until defensive depth is strengthened.

Liverpool’s season swing: five wins to three defeats

Liverpool opened 2025/26 with five straight Premier League wins but then suffered three consecutive defeats ahead of the international break. The sudden dip has exposed fatigue in attack and a worrying lack of centre-back depth after Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury and Ibrahima Konaté’s contract uncertainty. Missing out on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi compounded the problem and left the squad light centrally.

Why the Quansah sale still bites

The club’s summer sale of academy graduate Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m improved Liverpool’s financial and PSR position and funded other transfers. But with injuries and contract issues in defence, fans have questioned whether offloading a promising homegrown defender was short-sighted. Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo can fill in at centre-back, but the squad lacks the natural depth Quansah would have provided.

Quansah’s progress at Leverkusen and England recognition

Quansah has impressed since moving to the Bundesliga and earned a senior England call-up. He reflected on his decision to leave Liverpool, saying: "I have been learning from some of the best players around me at the time at Liverpool... At this part of my career, 22 turning 23, [in January] I need hundreds of games to be where I want to be. I think overall that's why the decision was made and why I thought going abroad was best for me."

England prospects and debut hopes

A member of England’s U21 European winners, Quansah has been regularly involved with senior squads under different managers but is still waiting for his first cap. On the call-up he said: "It is not a strange feeling, I'm really delighted to be here. [It is] always a huge honour to get called up... Hopefully it is something I will achieve, a cap for England." England face Wales at Wembley in a friendly before a World Cup qualifier away to Latvia.

Betting implications for punters

Liverpool’s defensive uncertainties suggest bettors should consider outcomes that reflect a higher likelihood of goals conceded: backing Liverpool to concede at least once, markets for both teams to score, or over 2.5 goals in matches. Conversely, Leverkusen and Quansah’s upward form could shorten their odds in domestic and European fixtures; look for value in Leverkusen win/clean-sheet markets when Quansah starts.

Former Liverpool star opens up on his decision to move aboard from Anfield this summer.

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