Michael Owen has told BT Sport that it was “nice to see” Liverpool star Curtis Jones play in his natural position out wide against Napoli – he did the position “justice”. Jones has been used deeper in midfield under Jurgen Klopp.
Jones, 21, was handed only his second start of the season after an injury ruled him out for the first couple of months of 22-23. Normally since breaking into the Liverpool side, he has been used in the middle of the park by Klopp.
That is, despite coming through the academy, mostly as a left-sided winger. Many will remember Jones cutting inside against Everton and curling in his first goal against Everton. On Tuesday night, he started on the left flank.
Liverpool icon Owen was impressed with the £47k-a-week star. He says that it is nice to see Jones back in his natural position. Not only did he impress, but Owen thinks he did the performance “justice” against Napoli.
“I was impressed. I’ve see him a lot in that position, in the academy. That’s always been his position. Because Liverpool have been so strong in those front three positions over the last five years, he’s hardly got a look in.
“He has been shuffled back into the midfield three because of that. So it was nice to see him in the advanced, front three. He used to beat players, score goals, a real attacking threat, use his pace. He did himself a lot of justice.”
Owen: Nice to see Liverpool star Jones play in natural position
With Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz out injured, Jones is going to be needed a lot more in the front three. While he might not start over Darwin Nunez on the left, he will certainly get game time before the World Cup.
On Sunday, the chances are, Jones will return to the bench. Nunez will start in a front three with Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah. But Jones will be the one Klopp turns to if he feels he needs to make a change in the front three.
Certainly, Tuesday night’s display will have convinced Klopp somewhat. Even reminding him just how good Jones can play in the front three. It is definitely his best role, giving him more freedom to go and attack.
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