Speaking to Liverpool’s official club website, Curtis Jones has been speaking about his versatility, claiming that he’d happily play at right-back if he was asked to.
Jones has been the breakout star of Liverpool’s season so far. He seemingly can’t stop assisting goals and he looks like he’s really stepped up a gear this term.
The midfielder has been utilised as a number eight and a number six this term, but he says that he’d happily play anywhere Jurgen Klopp asked him to, including at full-back.
What’s been said?
Jones spoke about the positions he’s been playing.
“I’m playing at 8 or 10 and the aim of that is for me to get into the box, be more like a box-to-box type of midfielder. The way we play, the 8 and the 10 try to score goals and assist goals, but at the same time you have to go and press and pick up on second balls. That’s the other side of the game,” Jones said.
“Playing as a 6 at Norwich was new to me, but I handled it well I think. I played there at U17s level so I kind of knew what I was doing [laughs]. It was more about being disciplined, being smarter and knowing that if I was going to make a run into the box I needed to speak with Ox or Naby to say, ‘Stay there, cover in’ or else there would be a huge gap in the middle of the pitch.
“I’ve played everywhere, but I just enjoy it. I want to get on the pitch and play. The gaffer and the staff know that as soon as I’m called upon – whether it’s at right-back, midfield, anywhere – I’ll go out there with a smile on my face and be exactly the same kid that I am. I enjoy it and I give 100 per cent.”
Could be an option
Jones says he’d happily play at right-back if he was asked to, and although he may have only been semi-serious about that, it could be something Jurgen Klopp wants to look into.
Of course, Trent Alexander-Arnold is first-choice and he probably will be for the next decade, but the England international doesn’t have a quality understudy.
Just look at how much James Milner struggled against Manchester City a fortnight ago while playing at right-back, perhaps the youthful energy and pace of Jones would have allowed him to cope a little better.
Maybe this is something Klopp should actually consider.
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