Liverpool playmaker Curtis Jones has been hailed by coach Claudio Taffarel having scored a goal ‘like Pele’ against West Ham United.
Liverpool were looking to get back to winning ways on Wednesday night, taking on West Ham United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The Reds drew 0–0 against Manchester United on Sunday, which was a major disappointment for many supporters given United’s poor form this season.
Liverpool ran riot against the Hammers though, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah all scoring whilst Curtis Jones bagged a brace.
A 5-1 win sends Liverpool into the semi-finals and midfielder Jones is now earning praise after his fine showing.
Liverpool coach praises midfielder Curtis Jones
Jones was handed a start in midfield and took his chance to shine.
The 22-year-old put Liverpool 2-0 up, firing home from a tight angle by nutmegging West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Jones also rounded off the scoring, making it 5-1 with a superb solo goal.
Collecting the ball just past the halfway line, Jones drove away from a static West Ham side before slotting into the net.
The Hammers will be disappointed with their passive defending fo that goal but Jones is earning praise inside Liverpool.
Jones took to social media to celebrate his goals and Liverpool’s win, leading to Reds goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel offering huge praise.
The Brazilian stated ‘gol like Pele’, comparing Jones to one of football’s biggest legends after scoring a lovely solo strike.
That is lofty praise for Jones, who also received praise from a host of teammates.
Szoboszlai, Adrian San Miguel, Kaide Gordon, Virgil van Dijk, Calum Scanlon, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch all sent supportive messages to Jones after a superb display.
Whether that is enough for Jones to get into the starting lineup against Arsenal this weekend remains to be seen, but he certainly did all he could on Wednesday night.
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