Jürgen Klopp’s last service before leaving Anfield was to hatch those baptized as ‘Klopp-Babes’. Boys trained in the academy who, currently, are important assets at Liverpool and who, like Curtis Jones (Liverpool, 2001), have broken down the door of England.
“Curtis Jones may be one of the most talented players I have worked with. He has everything you want in a midfielder. He just needs a chance,” England coach Lee Carsley commented at the time. No sooner said than done.
Curtis Jones may be one of the most talented players I’ve ever worked with.
Lee Carsley, England manager
In his penultimate game in charge of the national team prior to the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, he entered the eleven, completed the 90′ and put the finishing touch on Greece with a ‘heel’, becoming the first Liverpool player to mark on his debut for England since Sammy Lee in 1982. The curious thing is that it was also in an away match against the Greek team.
Now, focusing the focus on the goal would be to detract from what was a brilliant staging by Curtis Jones who played a different role than he usually does with Arne Slot. And, acting much closer to the base, offering freedom to Conor Gallagher and Jude Bellingham, he took the lead in the match, being the second player who completed the most passes only behind his teammate Marc Guéhi with a success rate of 96%.
“I tried constantly. I’m glad I was able to score a goal! I can play higher or lower without distinction. I take the ball and I dedicate myself to playing,” he admitted after the game after receiving the ‘MVP’. Even a ‘red’ legend Steven Gerrard, who had him under his command in the youth team, took the opportunity to congratulate him.
Gerrard, congratulating Curtis JonesINSTAGRAM
The truth is that his performance was a true reflection of the state of form he is going through in Liverpool, going from adding two starts in the first eight games to eating Dominik Szoboszlai’s toast by starting in five of the last seven. And, despite not having the Hungarian’s hitting, his impact on the game offers many more solutions to act as a link between the midfield and the attack… in addition to great reading and timing to get from behind than has already allowed him to produce three targets this season.
Percentile comparison Curtis Jones and Dominik SzoboszlaiFBREF
“It wasn’t me who improved Curtis. It was because he became a father. You never know if that has an influence or not. But, from that moment, he began to make great performances,” Slot confessed a few weeks ago. “He is an exceptional player and I am delighted with him. These players play week after week in the Premier League because they have earned it,” said Lee Carsley for his part.
These players play week after week in the Premier League because they have earned it
Lee Carsley, England coach
Maybe it doesn’t have as much name as others. But, without making much noise in a city like that of the Beatles, Curtis Jones is knowing how to take advantage of every minimal opportunity that is presented to him.