As Liverpool came out on top against Napoli with a 2-0 victory in the Champions League on Tuesday night, Curtis Jones quietly impressed whilst operating in the front three.
The 21-year old operated in an unfamiliar left wing role, while also readily taking up the false nine spot vacated by Roberto Firmino on several occasions.
While Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez understandably stole the headlines with their two late goals, the youngster’s brilliant technical security and tireless pressing capped off a fine all-round display from the get-go.
With the presence of the irreplaceable Thiago and skipper Jordan Henderson, the academy graduate has found it a challenge to cement his place as the side’s go-to No.8 in recent years.
However, Jurgen Klopp explained after Liverpool’s latest victory how Curtis Jones looked right at home in a more advanced role as well.
“He played a good game, a really good game”, he told BT Sport, as relayed by TEAMtalk.
The German elaborated, “In both directions [attack and defence], I liked him. He was involved in all of our defending.
The wingers are responsible for keeping it all together, that’s how it is. If they’re too early out, then we get exposed, you cannot do that. He did well.”
With the likes of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota set to be out of action for lengthy spells due to their respective injury woes, Curtis Jones may prove to be a surprise solution for Jurgen Klopp’s left-wing headache for the time being.
After all, the starlet shone against one of one of Europe’s most feared sides in Napoli currently, from both an attacking and a defensive standpoint.
As Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening, only time will tell whether Jurgen Klopp trusts Curtis Jones to operate in left wing again in such a massive contest.
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