Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton insisted that “the sky is the limit” for Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah after he helped dent Ipswich’s promotion hopes in a 0-0 draw at the Memorial Stadium.

Barton praised the 20-year-old centre-back on loan after he put on an outstanding display at the heart of the Rovers defence.

“The sky is the limit for Jarell and I’m sure he can really achieve whatever he wants,” Barton said of a player heading to Rovers in the January transfer window.

“It says a lot about him that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has him training with the first team at Anfield, which is right at the top end of our profession.

“I am very happy that they entrusted us with a player they hold in such high esteem and who has had to learn a different style of football with us.

“But if he keeps working hard and stays sensible, he can achieve anything because of his character that reminds me of Elliot Anderson (a successful ex-Newcastle signing) because nothing fazes him.

“Jarell had to start running and get used to losing back-to-back games, but I love working with the best players like Jarell and he shows all the qualities in a new addition who is giving it his all for the jersey.”

El Gas ended a run of four consecutive league defeats with a hard-fought draw.

Barton added: “We have managed to stop the bleeding against a very good team and I am very happy for the group and the club in general.

“We worked to make it difficult for them and as a man they were excellent and it was a proper performance from the team.

“And in the midst of all of that, you’ve seen some young men grow into men and have laid the foundation to build fantastic careers, like Jarell.

“It was a thoughtful and enjoyable defensive display against a team seeking promotion.

“If you can’t win, you have to go for a point and I’m proud of the way the group did against a club with an embarrassment of riches.”

Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna, whose team had 21 attempts on goal, expressed his disappointment.

“The prevailing emotion is frustration because we wanted the win and I felt like we did enough to win it over the 90 minutes, but it didn’t go our way,” McKenna said.

“There are positives to take because this is not an easy place to come to, especially when they defend as deep as they did.

“They are not on a good run, but they defended with a low block and tried to hit us on the counterattack.”

McKenna, who has overseen just one win in eight, added: “We’re drawing too many games, not quite on top of good margins.

“Once we get a win under our belt, the confidence will flow. Our focus must be on Saturday, so we are not in a position to think about organizing races.