Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has waxed lyrical about Curtis Jones after he inspired the Reds to a 2-1 win against Chelsea in their Premier League clash (October 20). Carragher reckons Arne Slot and Co. will reconsider attempting to sign Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi in the January transfer window after witnessing Jones' performance against the Blues.
Jones was handed his second league start of the season after Alexis Mac Allister was named on the bench due to fitness issues. The 23-year-old midfielder was on top of his game, winning his side a penalty which Mohamed Salah converted in the 29th minute. He then netted the winner in the 51st minute with a clever low finish past Robert Sanchez to seal all three points for Liverpool.
Carragher was evidently impressed as he told Sky Sports (via The Boot Room):
“Curtis Jones was brilliant, he was outstanding. He’s still at that stage where he doesn’t know for certain if he is first choice, when you have got Gravenberch and Mac Allister. But what a performance that was, when you think of the quality on the pitch and the money that has been spent. For a local lad to be player of the match."
He added:
“I wonder if Arne Slot is going to go back in for Zubimendi in January, but when you see how he played today you think ‘no’. He has to now do it on a consistent basis.”
During his 81 minutes on the pitch, Jones created two big chances and completed 37 out of an attempted 41 passes with an accuracy of 90 percent. Moreover, he landed both his shots on target, made six recoveries, and won six duels.
"Was mostly responsible for this" - Arne Slot credits Liverpool star for nullifying Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hailed Curtis Jones for controlling Chelsea's Cole Palmer during the Reds' 2-1 win at Anfield. The Dutchman admitted it was Jones' role to nullify Palmer's "quality".
Palmer has arguably been the best player in the Premier League this season, garnering six goals and five assists in 10 appearances across competitions. However, he could not make much of an impact against Liverpool on Sunday, landing zero shots on target from four attempts.
Following the game, Slot told Sky Sports (via Rousing the Kop):
“Very good. Very good. Very good individual performance. I think the whole team worked very, very hard. Curtis had a difficult job. He had to control Cole Palmer, which is not easy because this player has some quality. It’s a team effort, but Curtis was mostly responsible for this.”
Liverpool next face RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 23.