Curtis Jones - Under Rated?

[Woland ★]

I am

 

[rurikbird ★]

Great to see him pushing on and seeming sure of himself. But he's only 20, he's going to have great games, and then poor games, as he develops. 20 is still so young. Hell, Zidane was 23 and still playing for Bordeaux.

* Not suggesting he's the new Zidane

He’s clearly much better.

 

[Brizzle ★]

If Zidane is Zizou, is Jones Jizzou?

 

[ctlovesred]

And he already has a house in Liverpool

 

[ibromurph]

I think that’s accurate. I wanted to disagree about Thiago, but then I thought I probably wouldn’t want to start with a midfield that includes both Thiago and Elliott/Jones/Keita against any EPL team except perhaps the absolute relegation fodder or a team that’s itself heavily unbalanced. So I think you’re right - we seem to have adequate numbers in midfield, but only 3 of those can really be trusted with a defensive role and we usually need 2 of those on the pitch. Whenever Fabs and Hendo are both unavailable we’ll struggle big time.

I largely agree, although we started Elliott and Thiago (+Fab) against Leeds and we absolutely bossed them. Albeit they have that weird man to man system.

 

[ibromurph]

I don't think it's a case that his talent has ever been in question - he's obviously got the talent. It's the other things that separate the best players from those who don't quite make it - decision making, tactical awareness, attitude and all that shit.

It's the sort of stuff that traditionally attacking midfielders tend to struggle with more when they're young and why increasingly we've seen them shunted out onto the wing or even up front - if they make the team at all - in recent times.

The last couple games, however, it's all kinda come together a lot more and then the cute touches, dribbles and willingness to take on shots really come to the fore in a much more positive way.

My favourite moment from the game last night against Porto was just before his assist for Salah's second. He was running into space with Mane completely free to his left. It would've been easy just to hand over responsibility to Mane - who being further wide wasn't in as good a position - but instead he carried on himself and found a killer pass as a result.

Jones biggest plus - particularly for us as a team - is his (seemingly absolute) confidence in himself. Mane free? Meh. Henderson asking for the ball? Meh. Opening for a shot? I'll take it.

We need someone from midfield who will take a few more risks further up the pitch. It's just knowing how to get the balance right and the last couple games it has been.

Absolutely. He struts around the pitch with a bit of an arrogance about him.

Right now, JK is ensuring it's a healthy arrogance.

I really do like having a midfielder who I feel can score from range. Curtis gives us that. Whilst teams will drop off and look to kill the space in behind for Mo/Sadio to exploit, that creates space for midfielders coming on to the ball. And this kid doesn't ask twice if you give him an opportunity for a shot. He backs himself, left foot or right foot. He doesn't mind taking a risk. In that sense, he's the opposite to Gini, who was generally always safety first/risk averse.

What we're yet to see from Jones is whether he can show his talents and be trusted in a high-pressure game. It'll be interesting to see if JK trusts him against City; a game where we'll need to be defensively resolute and tactically aware. After all, he's likely to be up against a KDB in midfield. It's a big moment this weekend. JK played Elliott against Chelsea and it worked. Will he go with Jones against City after 3 assists?

Or has he already decided to keep Naby/Thiago back for that one?

 

[Gary25]

I don't know why some people are mentioning Thiago in relation to the City game. It's been confirmed he's out until after International break.

 

[Frogfish ★]

I don't know why some people are mentioning Thiago in relation to the City game. It's been confirmed he's out until after International break.

Because there's been contrary information and comments to the effect that it was only a precaution not actually an injury.

 

[Alan Hardaker]

If Jones can kick on from Porto then Thiago will be fighting for a place with Fabinho and Hendo. All three can play holding role.The attacking midfield thrust will hopefully come from Jones and Elliott. I think the best Combo might end up being the 3 that started V Porto..Fab,Hendo & Jones.

Wouldn't even rule out Fab or Hendo with Jones & Elliott. Jones can play box to box, Elliott in the last third..I mean not against City or Arsenal..but against the likes of Wolves, Crystal Palace..Everton..that type of thing..

 

[Gary25]

Because there's been contrary information and comments to the effect that it was only a precaution not actually an injury.

Jurgen Klopp says a calf injury is likely to keep Thiago Alcantara out of action for Liverpool until after the international break, meaning he would miss their Premier League meeting with Manchester City on October 3.

Thiago suffered the muscle issue in the second half of last Saturday's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Klopp was reluctant to put a timeframe on the Spain international's return, but the Liverpool boss only expects the midfielder to be back in action once the October international break is over.

 

[Frogfish ★]

Jurgen Klopp says a calf injury is likely to keep Thiago Alcantara out of action for Liverpool until after the international break, meaning he would miss their Premier League meeting with Manchester City on October 3.

Thiago suffered the muscle issue in the second half of last Saturday's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Klopp was reluctant to put a timeframe on the Spain international's return, but the Liverpool boss only expects the midfielder to be back in action once the October international break is over.

Well done you. And I told you why people were putting him in their team.