Curtis Jones

[rurikbird]

Bradford was probably the best I've seen Curtis Jones play, but later I actually went back to the second half against Tranmere and started noticing his contribution a lot more. I think his strongest attribute is his movement; even on the highlight video you can see how many different areas of the pitch he receives the ball in, always willing to be an extra man in every phase of the play (a bit like Milner). When he has the ball, he looks ungainly and gracefully efficient at the same time; I was trying to think of an animal to compare him with and somehow could only come up with the honey badger. So yes, based on absolutely nothing I hereby declare Curtis Jones of Liverpool the honey badger of footballers.

Anyway, once he builds up enough muscle mass and game experience to start winning a higher % of individual duels all over the pitch, I think that, combined with his exceptional movement, can make him an invaluable player.

 

[Modo]

I think the kid is really talented but his main problem is that he isn't efficient.
Holds on to the ball for too long, makes the wrong decisions etc.
All this can hopefully be solved with coaching but he's far from making it.
What I like about him is that he isn't afraid. He's comfortable with the ball and even demands it from his team mates.

 

[localny]

I think the kid is really talented but his main problem is that he isn't efficient.
Holds on to the ball for too long, makes the wrong decisions etc.
All this can hopefully be solved with coaching but he's far from making it.
What I like about him is that he isn't afraid. He's comfortable with the ball and even demands it from his team mates.

What's this based on Modo?

I'm disappointed he doesn't have a double barrel last name like all the other kids coming through..🙂

 

[hmmmmm1]

We will get 10 million for him in 2 years time

 

[Modo]

What's this based on Modo?

I'm disappointed he doesn't have a double barrel last name like all the other kids coming through..🙂

Based on the few games I've seen him play.

Looking at these pre season games I think it's pretty easy to tell who's ready and who's not.

 

[Halmeister]

He's another one that looks like a fucking whopper.

 

[SummerOnions]

The ketwig generation being footballers is gonna be weird

 

[Hyena]

Based on the few games I've seen him play.

Looking at these pre season games I think it's pretty easy to tell who's ready and who's not.

So who's ready? Brewster, I'm guessing?

 

[Silver Sean]

What's this based on Modo?

I'm disappointed he doesn't have a double barrel last name like all the other kids coming through..🙂

Remember when being double-barrelled meant you were posh and not that your dad fucked off when you were little?

 

[Modo]

So who's ready? Brewster, I'm guessing?

Brewster and Hoever so far

 

[manwithnoname]

Brewster and Hoever so far

Headline writers all over the sporting world are keeping their fingers and toes crossed that those two make it big

 

[Modo]

Headline writers all over the sporting world are keeping their fingers and toes crossed that those two make it big

Haha probably

 

[rurikbird]

With all the attention devoted to the likes of Brewster, Larouci, Adam Lewis etc I think Curtis Jones is flying a bit under the radar – which might actually be the best thing for his development. I've been watching him a lot more closely since the Bradford game and I've always been impressed; his movement is exceptionally good and he is showing a lot of versatility as a dribbler. Physically he can already mix it up with fully grown defenders being just 18 and will only grow stronger. His passing at the moment fluctuates between exceptional and erratic and he got the star player nonchalance down to a tee – just need to keep backing it up with performances now.

Another great sign for the future is the versatility – a player who can hold his own at CM, AM, wing-forward or full-back while always playing his own game at 17-18 years old is a rare thing. His skillset actually reminds me of Havertz – another player who builds his game on the foundation of exceptional movement and being calm and unpredictable in decisive episodes. I wouldn't be surprised in Klopp decided to keep him in the squad for the season – maybe it's his turn to break through.

 

[Modo]

With all the attention devoted to the likes of Brewster, Larouci, Adam Lewis etc I think Curtis Jones is flying a bit under the radar – which might actually be the best thing for his development. I've been watching him a lot more closely since the Bradford game and I've always been impressed; his movement is exceptionally good and he is showing a lot of versatility as a dribbler. Physically he can already mix it up with fully grown defenders being just 18 and will only grow stronger. His passing at the moment fluctuates between exceptional and erratic and he got the star player nonchalance down to a tee – just need to keep backing it up now.

Another great sign for the future sign is the versatility – a player who can hold his own at CM, AM, wing-forward or full-back while always playing his own game at 17-18 years old is a rare thing. His skillset actually reminds me of Havertz – another player who builds his game on the foundation of exceptional movement and being calm and unpredictable in decisive episodes. I wouldn't be surprised in Klopp decided to keep him in the squad for the season, maybe it's his turn to break through.

I think he's far from ready. I'd like us to send him out on loan. He needs more experience of playing with senior players.
What you say is true, he's possibly got all the skills to make it in top tier football but he needs to start playing smarter and faster. He also needs to get a little bigger.

 

[rurikbird]

I think he's far from ready. I'd like us to send him out on loan. He needs more experience of playing with senior players.
What you say is true, he's possibly got all the skills to make it in top tier football but he needs to start playing smarter and faster. He also needs to get a little bigger.

Well, he's about as ready as Trent was at 18 – definitely raw in some ways, but we got richly rewarded for Klopp sticking with him through all his growing pains, being targeted by other teams etc. Imagine if Clyne was still the first-choice RB – would we be European champions now? Anyway, it might be more difficult to break into midfield, but you never know. For me CJ is in the same top-tier of Academy talents as Trent, Brewster and Hoever and if it's so, then he has the chance.

 

[RedStar]

Well, he's about as ready as Trent was at 18 – definitely raw in some ways, but we got richly rewarded for Klopp sticking with him through all his growing pains, being targeted by other teams etc. Imagine if Clyne was still the first-choice RB – would we be European champions now? Anyway, it might be more difficult to break into midfield, but you never know. For me CJ is in the same top-tier of Academy talents as Trent, Brewster and Hoever and if it's so, then he has the chance.

There is a key difference, Trent was in a position with one senior player infront of him who is constantly injured. Jones is competing for a midfield spot in arguably the deepest midfield weve ever had. Grujic is miles ahead of Jones in his development and cant even get in the squad.

Hes got Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Wjinaldum, Keita, Lallana, Ox all firmly infront of him in the pecking order. I really dont see how hes going to get game time. Im not a fan of constantly loaning out young players but in Jones case it may be worthwhile to send him out. He needs competitive games to develop, he wont get that at Anfield this season barring an injury crisis of epic proportions.

 

[rurikbird]

There is a key difference, Trent was in a position with one senior player infront of him who is constantly injured. Jones is competing for a midfield spot in arguably the deepest midfield weve ever had. Grujic is miles ahead of Jones in his development and cant even get in the squad.

Hes got Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Wjinaldum, Keita, Lallana, Ox all firmly infront of him in the pecking order. I really dont see how hes going to get game time. Im not a fan of constantly loaning out young players but in Jones case it may be worthwhile to send him out. He needs competitive games to develop, he wont get that at Anfield this season barring an injury crisis of epic proportions.

Fair point, of course – just a couple of comments: Grujic is a bit different because he looks like a player clearly on course to become the #6 position specialist. So it was a question of whether he would get enough minutes with Fabinho and Henderson ahead of him – and judging from what he revealed about his conversation with Klopp, it still might have been a possibility if not for his injury-curtailed season at Hertha; they both felt he needed to get a full season under his belt before competing for the starting position at Liverpool and if it didn't happen last season he needed to try it again.

With Jones, he basically covers any position from winger to full-back and any of the midfield roles, like a younger version of Wijnaldum or Milner. Besides, he offers great movement and energy + quality, which can be always be useful near the end of games. So if he stays, I think he'll get minutes as a sub – question is whether going on loan is better for his development. The advantage of loan is more minutes, but the opportunity to develop as a player within Klopp's system could be invaluable. At Dortmund, Klopp usually found ways to give young midfielders enough playing time.