It’s time Curtis Jones got his chance to impress
It’s time Liverpool gave Curtis Jones his chance.
After Neco Williams’ surprise start, it’s time Curtis Jones was afforded the same opportunity.
You’d be forgiven if, like me, you raised an eyebrow after you saw the team selection midweek against Burnley. Not because of Neco Williams’ involvement over Curtis Jones in the side – he’s a deserving and talented youngster – but because of where he was playing. Left-back.
A bright cameo appearance against Aston Villa likely earned him the midweek spot, but he was playing out of position and it showed.
Williams struggled to deal with the pace of Tariq Lamptey, and he frequently gave away possession when under pressure, preferring to cut inside on his favored right foot.
He certainly deserves more chances in the future and he’ll likely get them (hopefully on the right side of the defense), though he probably didn’t show enough against Brighton to earn a spot against Burnley. Which youngster, then, gets the nod?
Jurgen Klopp has already said he won’t just give out appearances for the sake of it, though he’s certainly shown he’s willing to rest players.
Against Aston Villa, he benched Roberto Firmino. At Brighton, he rested Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson. One change in the midfield will be forced, due to Henderson’s cruelly premature end to the season.
That spot should go to Curtis Jones. Yes, Klopp could easily choose a Gini Wijnaldum-Fabinho-Naby Keita triumvirate in midfield. All three of them are playing well. In particular, Keita has performed excellently and is starting to deliver on some of his long-awaited promise. But Wijnaldum has played more minutes than any of Liverpool’s other midfielders, and it could be time for him to take a break.
The need for rotation should be Jones’ gain. He took his goal expertly against Aston Villa, and he’s been vocal about requesting more opportunities in the first team.
Pair him alongside Fabinho and he’ll have all the cover he could ever need and a license to move forward to support the attack. Sean Dyche’s deep-lying side is often difficult to break down. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, though often used against such opposition, hasn’t impressed enough in his performances since the restart to warrant a starting position.
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Jones deserves it instead. He’s been afforded fewer opportunities than several of his youthful peers despite looking dangerous whenever he takes the field. Goalscoring performances like the one against Aston Villa ought to be rewarded.
It’s time to let the kids play.