Taking Curtis seriously

[rurikbird]

I think it's time to say it out loud – Curtis Jones is no fluke, he's not the next Woodburn or Ejaria type who showed early promise, but never moved beyond the fringes of the first team. He's right in it. Klopp and the club are doing an incredible job keeping the hype meter down, but it's becoming clear we have a potential star on our hands. In other circumstances his natural confidence could have easily led to picking up a plethora of bad habits – instead he's being guided with an iron hand (inside a velvet glove) towards discovering how to use his individual talents to become a better team player. Fortunately, so far he's willing to listen.

What's his best position? Well...

It's often said that versatility can be the enemy of a young player as they get shuffled from one position to another and never truly find their niche. Jones seems to be in no such danger – sign of a good player is that he plays in his own distinctive way anywhere on the pitch. Physically he has remarkably filled out in the last few months (let's not forget he's only 19!) and is now looking like in time he can be a proper physically dominant CM, while his tendency to roam into forgotten corners of the pitch reminds me of Milner. I could also seem him developing into a Fellaini-type second striker/target man, while his ability to cut in from the left and find the top corner – something he's been showing consistently including on big occasions such as the Derby against Everton – reminds me of Coutinho or Grealish. It's a unique combination of qualities and that's what makes him so fascinating as a player.

I can't see so far into the future and I think for someone with his temperament the time after he truly "makes it" will be the biggest character test of all. But looking at this season, I think he'll be the most useful to us as the most attack-minded of 3 CMs, particularly on the left side where he can cut in on his right and shoot. I am curious to see a player with his hunger for goals and unpredictability at #10, but I also think you cannot make him too important to the team's game too early. Against Lincoln I enjoyed seeing him and Minamino play together in those between-the-lines areas as they seemed to be on the same wavelength and complemented each other's games pretty well. Whatever happens, like Klopp said, we're going to "have a lot of fun" with Curtis.

 

[Peatcheo]

He looks the real deal, I know it was "just Lincoln" but he looked dangerous every time he had the ball, wanted to be in the thick of it all, needs to be at least on and hopefully will be coming off the bench most games from now on, he also definitely should be starting all domestic cup games.

 

[Brizzle]

He's looked sharp, willing and confident in most first team apperances too. He loves getting in the box and as long as that continues I think he'll get goals when he's playing.

I love Ox but maybe that is the role Curtis should step in to if we decide to cash in.

 

[Woland]

Would be great if when Milner retires and Gini moves on, probably both within a year, that Jones can become a main part of the midfield. It's not often you see a 6'1 unit turn and beat three men in one movement like he did for the second goal. First touch was sublime.

 

[FoxForceFive]

He's brilliant.

I do think his versatility could be a negative thing though, unless he & the club focus on one position as he breaks through, before then expanding his game.

Whilst it didn't stop stevie reaching his heights, today's game (at least that played by klopp & pep) is much more rigid in many ways so perhaps less forgiving of a player who roams the pitch.

 

[Donavan Ried]

Would be great if when Milner retires and Gini moves on, probably both within a year, that Jones can become a main part of the midfield. It's not often you see a 6'1 unit turn and beat three men in one movement like he did for the second goal. First touch was sublime.

Liked him from the first time I saw him play, and would whole heartedly agree with everything you have said,only fualt is at times can try and do a little too much on the ball, but he will learn of that I am sure

 

[Woland]

He's brilliant.

I do think his versatility could be a negative thing though, unless he & the club focus on one position as he breaks through, before then expanding his game.

Whilst it didn't stop stevie reaching his heights, today's game (at least that played by klopp & pep) is much more rigid in many ways so perhaps less forgiving of a player who roams the pitch.

Look at Milner though... Look at Fabs being shifted about. The only prob would be discipline. I know he's a number 10 and that's not how we play, but he's also a fucking good footballer and it looks like he could play anywhere with the right coaching

 

[peterhague]

Yeah he's gonna make it.

Got the technical ability, size and strength, and an eye for goal.

And the confidence to get on the ball and influence things.

 

[Halmeister]

He's good, yeah. I just wish he didn't look and seem like an absolute whopper.

 

[gkmacca]

He's still got a season of hard lessons ahead of him. He needs to work to find his consistency - all through the age groups he's always been a player who's blown hot and cold, and, although that's improved rapidly over the course of the past year, there's still some way to go. It will probably help him, perversely, that there's not the groaning of the fans whenever he plays the wrong pass or gets caught out of position. I agree with FFF - his versatility will be both a help and a hindrance for a while, getting him games but also probably all over the shop. Yes, Milner and Fabs can do it without a problem, but filling in when you're already an established player with a recognised regular position is very different from being a young player who hasn't yet claimed a preferred position. Personally I think he will thrive either in a Coutinho-style role or else as a conventional attacking midfielder. Obviously he's a very confident lad, so I expect him to keep making progress from month to month. He's the real deal, deffo.

 

[Frogfish]

He's brilliant.

I do think his versatility could be a negative thing though, unless he & the club focus on one position as he breaks through, before then expanding his game.

Whilst it didn't stop stevie reaching his heights, today's game (at least that played by klopp & pep) is much more rigid in many ways so perhaps less forgiving of a player who roams the pitch.

Except that Klopp loves flexibility in a player as it opens his options right up. Discipline in that position is key and that will likely come with age and coaching. He couldn't be at a better club and with better coaches than he has now.

Another wonderful stat from his appearances so far is his almost 1:2 goal record. That is simply outstanding for a midfielder and shows no sign of letting up as he steps up the ranks.

This season however is not going to be the one where he steps into the team as a regular and I disagree that he needs to get on from the bench most games. Look at the strength in depth we have in midfield. He may have surpassed Ox. (don't understand Klopp saying that Ox. will have a big part to play this season, bit part perhaps) but more senior players will keep him out of the team and off the bench this season.
Next season however, assuming he continues is trajectory, is when Milner, Ox. and maybe Gini, will not hinder his ascension.

 

[keniget]

He's good, yeah. I just wish he didn't look and seem like an absolute whopper.

Ha, I'm the same but reckon that swagger / confidence is a big part of what is helping him stand out from the rest at the moment.

He looks a big talent and I'm loving the fact that he's got goals in him (AM in a three man midfield is where I see him personally)... but think it's a little too early to be hyping him up like crazy.

Hopefully we can put together some decent cup runs this season and give the likes of Jones some proper game time away from the pressures of the league and the CL.

 

[peterhague]

He's good, yeah. I just wish he didn't look and seem like an absolute whopper.

I loved the way he gave a little speech when they gave him the man of the match award.

 

[Halmeister]

I loved the way he gave a little speech when they gave him the man of the match award.

I didn't even see that. What did he say?

 

[Frogfish]

I didn't even see that. What did he say?

He wanted to thank all of those that voted for him (i.e. the one commentator) 😀

 

[Woland]

I saw someone tweet last night, dragons den idea, curtis jones audiobooks, and I think I'm in

 

[Dreambeliever]

Been a fan for a long time. He’s got the X factor.

 

[i_rushie]

Yes, he also stood out against Burnley after the restart. I would like to see them try him in the front three. He seems to have the arrogance to believe he'd be a success in any position he plays - and that's not a bad thing.

 

[gkmacca]

I saw someone tweet last night, dragons den idea, curtis jones audiobooks, and I think I'm in

Ha ha ha, you cruel bastard!

 

[Squiggles]

He's brilliant. What more could you ask for a young prospect coming into a world class side. He knows he belongs in this company and to have that sort of self-belief at his age is staggering.

He's popping up all over the pitch, influencing the games in all different areas and consistently making the right decisions. Further more he's got the technical ability to really hurt teams.

There's far bigger tests than the likes of Lincoln, but at this stage we couldn't really be asking for any more. If Havertz had put in his performance yesterday nobody would have battered an eye.

 

[dantes]

He probably feels on top of the world now, but I fear in a couple of seasons when the best team he will ever play in have succumbed to old age, poor Curtis and maybe Trent will be left alone, trying to hold together a mediocre team, telling the new lot stories about the good days, he'll have the weight of the world on his shoulders, barely 22 years old, all of his best football still in front of him, yet he will play it utterly bereft of hope and ambition.

 

[bluebell]

He needs to bulk up, hopefully that might make him faster too

 

[gene hughes]

He needs to bulk up, hopefully that might make him faster too

I’ve bulked up a lot, especially during lockdown, and been disappointed at the effect on my speed.

 

[kingjulian]

To be honest, Im not too sure I'm seeing more than what I saw with Shelvey for instance....

**Edit: I'm often wrong on these things. So hopefully...

 

[Woland]

Remember when Shelvey scored a screamer to knock the blue shite out the cup on his first senior start aged 17? Me neither.

 

[MaBigTip]

I've been on this hype train for awhile. His technical ability is impressive. He can keep the ball in very difficult situations and I'm just excited to watch him progress.

 

[The Nomad]

I saw someone tweet last night, dragons den idea, curtis jones audiobooks, and I think I'm in

Well that's not taking curtis seriously... is it?

 

[refugee]

Remember when Shelvey scored a screamer to knock the blue shite out the cup on his first senior start aged 17? Me neither.

He did tell Fergie to fuck off once, so cut him some slack.

 

[Mamma Mia]

He's been in the team or on the bench for something like our last 13 competitive fixtures.

It's cool and all that y'all are finally seeing it, Klopp and co. have been on to his potential excellence for ages.

 

[Frogfish]

He's been in the team or on the bench for something like our last 13 competitive fixtures.

It's cool and all that y'all are finally seeing it, Klopp and co. have been on to his potential excellence for ages.

The issue with that though is we now have Thiago and Jota to find slots for either in the team or on the bench. Neither are going to be left out so that reduces the likelihood he'll even make the bench, bar injuries or cup games. GK, Tsimikas, defender are 3 givens. Is he going to get a bench slot over Milner or Gini or Keita?

I think he's great and a future first teamer ... but I think it's one season too early to see him as a regular. From next season is his time.