Curtis Jones earned more football in 16 minutes vs Manchester United

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Curtis Jones only got 15 minutes against Manchester United. He earned himself some more football in his short spell, though.

We haven’t seen too much of Curtis Jones over the last few months but he did get a spell off the bench against Manchester United on Thursday. It was the most football he’s played since early March.

There’s no real secret as to why he hasn’t been playing. Jurgen Klopp has been open about wanting stability in midfield, given he doesn’t have it in defence.

Jones, playing his first full senior season, was always going to make way for the likes of Thiago, Gini Wijnaldum and Fabinho, then. He just doesn’t have the experience to bring stability – not while he’s still learning.

But we’d argue Liverpool have missed him. In fact, we wrote ahead of the originally scheduled game that Jones could hurt United.

He brings an intensity and direct attitude to midfield, which is something the other options lack a little. You can always count on Jones to drive the ball up the pitch and as Liverpool search for wins, that can be key.

Curtis Jones vs Manchester United

In the end, he did show what he can do against United. Jones only got 16 minutes, of course, but he proved himself.

The 20-year-old picked up both a tackle and an assist in that spell. It might not seem like all that much but Gini Wijnaldum, the player he replaced, didn’t manage either.

Jones showed up ready to fight, though, and nothing showed that more than Liverpool’s fourth goal. The Scouser fought for the ball on the counter, determined to make something happen. He didn’t need much time to get a pass away, either, and found Mohamed Salah clean through on goal.

That made it 4-2 and Jones was the one who brought it about.

It’s further evidence that Jones should play a little more than he is. He’s a player capable of delivering a bit of everything in midfield and no other midfielder combines his aggression with creativity.

Liverpool could use a lot more of that over the coming weeks as they chase maximum points. We think Jones earned the right to prove he can deliver it.