Why can Curtis Jones play with so much freedom?

Since Steven Gerrard's emergence in 1998, only two Scousers have made more than 100 appearances for Liverpool.

One is Trent Alexander-Arnold and the other is Curtis Jones.

Jones is an outstanding player in his age group. But when he was promoted from the academy, he couldn't grow as quickly as Gerard or Trent.

Partially due to injury.

Taking over Liverpool's starting position is not easy. It is not surprising that this young talent is questioned more than the players the team brings in from elsewhere.

However, Jones doesn't seem to be bothered at all.

“That doesn't scare me at all. I'm a Scouser.”

Those were his words at the beginning of the season. And yet, they say, Jones is getting better and better.

He is only a few weeks away from turning 23 years old. Jones has been a first-team regular since he was 17 years old.

And just this season he has seized the opportunity to become a mainstay in the new midfield.

Recently, we have seen Jones score goals a lot, in fact, he has been outstanding in scoring goals and assists since his time in the academy.

The same goes for dribbling ability. And pull the ball across to the other side. It's just that before, he wasn't doing as well in other areas.

When I was a kid, I played pressing and defending. It's not his highlight at all. But that began to change when his idol, Steven Gerrard, took charge of Liverpool's Under-18s.

The two have a good relationship with each other. Which led to Stevie J being able to speak frankly with Jones, even if that was the painful truth…

Gerrard wants to build a team with Jones in the centre. But it still maintains quality rather than flashy gameplay.

Every young player's development is different. Not everything is going well for Gerard and Trent.

When Jones worked with the first team he himself had previously admitted that he had serious mental problems.

Inability to participate in the match despite training hard throughout the week. It's not easy to accept because I'm used to playing regularly in the academy team.

Jones, 18, made his debut for Liverpool in January 2019.

It was an FA Cup third round match, and the team lost. Wolverhampton Wanderers

On that day, Jones took over the role of striker on the left side. And after that I can't play at all.

After that, he did not appear again until 8 months later.

Carabao Cup match, third round, Jones gets Liverpool's win over Milton Keynes Dons.

In the next round, he participated in his first goal with the first team when he scored a penalty kick during the legal confrontation between Liverpool and Arsenal after a violent 5-5 draw.

However, the game where Jones really shined was the FA Cup against Everton.

On that day, Liverpool were forced to use mainly young players so that the game seemed inferior to their city rivals.

However, it was Jones who scored the beautiful winner. After the match, he gave an interview in which he showed his confidence in himself.

“I feel frustrated because I don’t play football with the first team anymore,” said the 18-year-old, who played only five matches for the first team.

His attitude has never changed, Jurgen Klopp said after the 2-1 win over Fulham.

“Curtis Jones is very important to us and he knows it.”

“I overheard an interview with him saying that ‘I want to play more’.”

“I really liked it!” I laughed immediately. I apologize to Curtis for not letting you play more matches earlier. “

Having to rest longer at the start of last season became a priority.

He then suffered a leg injury that was different from normal injuries, and it gave him time to evaluate his game, which was somewhat useful.

Over the past four seasons, Jones has had to get used to being a midfielder for a team of Liverpool's level.

Which he modified appropriately. He sought advice from several seniors with more experience.

They include Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago Alcantara.

Being just a spare part in the engine probably hurt it more often than not. But it is a necessary measure.

Jones returned to help the team at the end of last season.

He was an unexpected start against Chelsea and started again against Arsenal.

Klopp switched to an inverted full-back system, with Trent deployed in midfield, and Jones suddenly began to feel that this was the team for him.

Summer 2023 Jones continues his level with the England national team. On stage at the European Under-21 Championship

He scored the winning goal that took the Three Lions to the continental championship, but luck was not enough to put him in contention for the tournament's best player award.

But by now it should come as no surprise that many are talking about Jones being Gareth Southgate's choice for Euro 2024 in France.

Assistant coach Pep Legends said about him: “I must say that his development goes hand in hand with the development that the team has been experiencing since the end of last year.”

“He always shows up. He is a player who plays the role of a leader with and without the ball.”

“He played unbelievably in the (Under-21) European Championship. For me he is the best player there.”

“He has a huge impact on the team, both with and without the ball.”

“It's great to have him back as a regular again. We are delighted and proud of his impact on the game.”

From asking for advice to having one-on-one conversations with Klopp

Jones watches clips of himself playing, and talks about pressuring opponents. To improve your decision making, your playing intelligence, and ultimately, get better at everything.

It doesn't matter when Klopp is asked about this team member. He always talks about his excellent artistic quality.

Since Jones returned to help the team in April last year, Klopp has never stopped praising Jones' diligence.

“His counter-pressing is fantastic. He sets the level of play,” were Klopp's words about Jones' performance in the match against Newcastle two weeks ago.

Although there are many compliments but there are also areas that he can improve.

Some Liverpool fans want him to play faster and more often. But sometimes slowing down the game is a way to control the game.

This was something he and Klopp discussed after the game against West Ham last month.

Jones has become the link to a team full of offensive talent and fast players who like to attack up front.

He has completed 92.3 percent of his passes since the lineup change.

“A very good footballer, very good, he has always been like that. But with these skills that he has now, for me, for everyone, he has been very consistent. He is really great.”

“He stepped up defensively. It made him enjoy the game more. Then he could show more quality than before.”

“It's a pleasure to have this kid around. Because he has the natural confidence of Scouse, it's really cool.”

So why is Curtis Jones able to play with so much freedom?

The difference between now and before is it's almost like a different world.

Fighting with Chelsea, which is full of expensive players. But it turned out he was a product of Liverpool's academy and his performances were even more remarkable.

Naturally, Connor Bradley's goals catapulted him into the spotlight.

But Curtis Jones has gradually emerged as one of the most consistent players in the Premier League this season.

Jones power plays freely. Competitors have a hard time matching them. Because he can appear in different places on the field.

When Liverpool entered the game from the back, Jones was often close to Alexis Mac Allister as an option to attack from midfield.

If the situation does not allow him to do so, Jones will move to the left flank, with Joe Gomez, who plays as a left-back, moving inside to attract the Chelsea winger to follow him.

Doing this gives Jones space to run and receive the ball in high places.

When not in possession of the ball, Jones sometimes plays the role of general, pressuring the opposition as the person on the front line the most.

But a few seconds more and he will run back and help the defense to cut off the opponent's passes in the final zone, which is his own zone.

It's a quality he has improved on this season, as Klopp said when Liverpool beat Norwich 5-2 last weekend.

“If Curtis Jones can learn how to play defense, then that means everyone can learn how to defend too!”

“He helps us set the tone for us by attacking and pressing high. Playing with great enthusiasm.”

“If he can do it, it means everyone can too.”

Hosalonso