Jarell Quansah left Liverpool supporters in stitches after brutally stating his intentions to leapfrog first-choice centre-back Joel Matip in Jurgen Klopp's side.
The Reds youngster scored his first goal for the club in their 2-1 Europa League group stage defeat against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise as he started alongside Ibrahima Konate in defence.
Liverpool may be forced to dip into the January transfer market for another defender after Matip recently suffered a potentially season-ending ACL injury, but Qansah hopes to take his chance to become a regular starter at his boyhood club.
Players rarely discuss competition amongst team-mates, but the 20-year-old wasn't afraid to state his intentions in the wake of Matip's unfortunate injury post-match on Thursday.
Quansah has made 11 senior appearances for the Reds with each of those coming this season and brazenly revealed his ambitions to become a regular feature for the remainder of the season.
'It's a shame what happened to Joel and my condolences go with him but my idea was to try and get over him anyway and try to be a starting centre-back in the Premier League at the end of the day.
'I'm just trying and any opportunity, hopefully more come, I am just trying to really push on and be the best centre-back I can be.'
Reds supporters were astonished to hear the youngster's comments, but some believe it shows the mentality that players need to have to become a regular at the club.
One supporter said: 'It’s not wild. This is the mentality we need our players to have. No one’s position is safe.'
Another similarly added: 'I mean in all fairness it’s exactly the break he needed for his career, at the expensive of his colleague/friend but still.'
However some believe the comments could land him in hot water with Klopp, as another online comment read: 'I think the gaffer might pull him after this interview but it’s great to see some honesty.'
A final suggestion stated: 'This could be his end, Jurgen won’t like this comment.'
Fabs_D
511
Boy take your time and grow. Don't rush it. Matip is in another level but surely one day you will be a regular starter
Dohaepsy
364
The boy is just expressing the feeling every person needs to have an ambition. Klopp needs to support the boy but just advise him to take it easy because he has more years ahead of him to become an Anfield great