A Career Defining Season for Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones
It was another goal over the weekend for Liverpool Midfielder Curtis Jones against Norwich City in the 4th Round of the FA Cup. It was not an easy finish either. From an acute angle Curtis steers the ball with a header beyond the keeper. It makes up the evidence that the 22-year-old scouser is having a career defining season at Liverpool. He has made 13 appearances this season so far and we are only halfway through. The most appearances in a season was back in 20/21 and even those were mostly as substitute appearances. In terms of his goal scoring this season he is having a real love affair in the domestic cup competitions.
Over the summer Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool transformed the midfield by bringing in Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Macallister and Ryan Gravenberch. The prospects did not look too good for this season for Curtis Jones in terms of opportunities never mind making an impression. Add to that the recent Injury struggles that Curtis had been suffering over the last couple of years. There was a bit of light at the end of the tunnel with the unexpected departures of Captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho as both went to Saudi Arabia. There was also the matter of competing on 4 fronts again which meant a deep squad would be needed and a great deal of rotation. This also was a shift in philosophy for Jurgen Klopp has he has traditional liked to use a small squad.
What we have seen from Curtis this season is real maturity and growth as a player and a person. He has managed to hold his own amongst the high-profile players purchased over the summer. He is able to play as an all-round midfielder whether it be attacking or defensive or both as a box-to-box midfielder. He plays on the front foot and is fantastic in keeping the ball flowing especially in the final third of the field. This is so important in ensuring that the opposition is not given any opportunity to take a breather. Curtis is not likely to pull a rabbit out of the hat like a prime Steven Gerrard might do but Curtis has become such an important cog in this well-oiled machine. At the age of 22 I do not think Curtis has hit is ceiling as yet. There is no reason why he can’t reach another level and be able to dictate and dominate games.
It should be remembered that Curtis is coming backing from a whole host of niggling injuries. Curtis has been around for a few years now. He made his debut in the 19/20 season. Young players who just come through do tend to experience injuries due to body growth. Just another comparison with Steven Gerrard again who went through the same thing. Hopefully that is all behind Curtis now and he can really build on his performances and be a pivotal player for Liverpool as they embark on a hunt for 4 trophies. It wouldn’t surprise me at the least if he gets a place in Gareth Southgate’s England Squad in the Euros in Germany this summer. He is certainly playing more often than some of his peers that play regularly for England. Curtis was instrumental in the success that the under 21’s had last summer in the European Championships as they went on to win the tournament. In that team he plays the number 6 role. As mentioned above the flexibility Curtis offers is invaluable.
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