I’ve been banging this drum for a while in my Liverpool group chat. I mistook Jones for Firmino once during a game broadcast, something about a similar build and how he was moving with the ball, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since then.
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I just hope he becomes a great Liverpool player and remains that for a long time, regardless of the role, but there’s something poetic in imagining him playing with Elliott at the heart of the midfield, in front of a holding midfielder. Two boyhood Liverpool fans with natural self-confidence, bundles of energy and brilliant technical ability, driving the whole side for a decade, that’s the stuff of dreams.
That said, he still has a lot of refining to do, I think that his final ball has suffered during the process of attuning to the way first team plays but it might not be a bad thing in the long run, the basics are more important in young player’s development. Once he fully gets to grips with pressing and covering, I think he’ll be an important asset to the side. I love it how he plays on the half-turn, it’s the end of 2021 but I’m still amazed when I see that in football, especially in any Liverpool side.
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My favourite bit of both Elliot and Jones is they always come off the pitch having ran at least as good as the likes of Milner etc. Such a key component of the midfield is the hard and dirty work and they have embraced that wholeheartedly.
Jones actually reminds me of Lallana a lot, excellent close control, can dribble out of tight spots etc. he’s just learning the art of the right pass at the right time, alongside the space management of defence… he’s there or there about a with everything else.
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Doesn’t he have a deeper role with the 1st team than what he was at youth level?
Wouldn’t that explain this better?
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Could be that but I’m assuming that he’s being taught to sacrifice a part of his natural game (which was built around insane individual skill at youth levels, rather than teamwork and tactical ability) in order to become a complete midfielder. It’s not too dissimilar to Elliott, I think, both played out wide predominantly before transitioning to central midfield. Somewhere in that transition, I feel that Jones’ final ball has somewhat diminished. That said, I believe that once he fully gets the grips on what is asked of him, he’ll have the platform to channel and showcase his creative ability in the final third, not just retain the ball and ping it around.
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In any case I couldn’t tell you if Curtis Jones’ final ball has suffered or not since moving up.I’m just making conversation. 
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Think that’s general rustiness of not playing enough.
Not a good performance today. But he’s played a lot of minutes in the last few games also, which probably wasn’t planned post his injury in Andorra.
No excuse.
If you’re going to give it the big ‘un and say that you are good enough to play for the first team, you need to back it up on the pitch.
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Curtis Jones looks good = will be a good sub for Bellingham if he goes to Anfield.
Though, he has not reached meme-level like 2011-2012 Henderson, yet.
Some couldn’t wait long before sticking the boot in on here it seems. Anyone would be forgiven for thinking a 20 year old who’s been playing well could be afforded one bad game after returning from injury before questions about his ability and attitude get raised.
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He’s going to be a significant part of this squad for years, maybe not always as a default starter but certainly has the potential for that.
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Ease up. I don’t see where anyone in this thread has questioned his attitude. I agree that there must be leeway given for all players returning from injury until they get back in the rhythm.
I dislike the constant “imagine what he’s going to be like in 5 years time” or “he’ll be world class for a decade” though. Any player in our squad could be playing their best football right now. We don’t know. If they are match sharp (which Curtis isn’t) Klopp should be judging them on how they are performing right now. Not on what we wishfully see the goal to be in the future. No one should get any sort of free ride because of age and so far I haven’t seen Klopp do that. Every player that has been given a spot has deserved it.
Nearly all footballers have a short window in their career, maybe 3-6 years, of being at the absolute top of their game. There are very very few exceptions to that.
None of this is a criticism of Curtis at all BTW. I personally have been impressed with what he has done in the team, like Elliott. Neither have been flawless though this season. Because they are human. I will afford them chances, just as I would Thiago, Ox, Naby because I can demand perfection from our midfielders but it is unreasonable to expect it every time.
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The implication is there a few posts up, but there’s also the post match thread as well. It’s full of garbage.
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Fair enough. Post match threads after a draw or heaven forbid, loss deserve a cursory glance at best.
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Clearly struggled with the intensity after another game in quick succession and coming back from injury.
No concerns for me, he has some bits to iron out in his game but generally he’s doing well.
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Fuck, even a 3-0 win
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This kind of attitude to player use versus development is more Mourinho than Klopp. Would have seen Trent not develop and be a Salah at Chelsea style story. Jones now is good enough for some use in my opinion but you certainly wouldn’t judge him in the same way you’d judge Ox or Fabinho. They are at their level and judging them on whether to keep/use them or let them move on is fine to do it based on what they are now. You can’t do that with Jones or someone similar. Likewise you need to make sure you give players like that some game time, even if not always earned, or your Chelsea Salah will never develop into your Liverpool Salah, your Chelsea De Bruyne will never become your City De Bruyne and your 590 minutes of cameos 18 year old Trent Alexander-Arnold never becomes the best right back in the world and your starting option for 3 and a half years and counting as he turns 23.
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Agree completely. Like when Ronnie Whelan came into the team many moons ago. He was slaughtered at the start. Not saying Curtis will be anywhere near Whelan’s impact, but with young players, you gotta expect some steps back to go forward.
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He is only 20. Unlike TAA who was pretty much thrown into the deep end when Clyne went out injured and we all know the rest…Curtis, fingers crossed, does not have to be thrown in like this and Klopp and the staff can develop him in the right time frame. Nobody knows whether he can be world class for us or not, but not taking into context what the players want, but its very telling that Klopp and the staff decided they want to keep youths like Curtis and Elliot instead of seeking to move them on, which we have done alot to supposedly great talents in the last few years. While Curtis and Elliot have plenty to prove and alot to learn and improve before they can become proper players in a world class team and club, the one quality they keep showing over and over again is that they always make themselves relevant. When they have a bad game, they are not afraid to come back in the next game to continue playing their game. They keep wanting the ball, they keep making their runs, they have a spirit and fire that alot of talented senior players like Shaqiri etc seem to lack when the chips are down, when they would go missing in games. Hopefully the ups and downs in terms of performances will be part of a learning curve of a future world class player for Liverpool FC.
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