Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wants people to understand why Curtis Jones was so impressive v Nottingham Forest. The youngster stepped in on short notice.
Jurgen Klopp took a moment during his press conference on Tuesday to hail Curtis Jones for his display against Nottingham Forest at the weekend. Jones played in a midfield two with Fabinho – a role he stepped into on short notice.
Thiago was supposed to play the role, but a severe ear infection kept him out. Much as it will do against Ajax and, potentially, again at the weekend.
Jones was the choice to take on the role – one Klopp says he’s never actually played before. For that, the Liverpool boss wanted to recognise why his display was so impressive at the weekend.
“The situation we fought at Nottingham was really strange,” said Klopp. “That you have to play a player who didn’t play for a long time in Curtis Jones.
“And he did really well! In a position he never played because in the night, something happens [with Thiago].”
Curtis Jones v Forest
Jones wasn’t perfect against Forest – far from it. But it was a very difficult game for him. As Klopp says, he hadn’t played decent minutes all season and wasn’t used to the position anyway.
On top of that, Forest consistently used him as a pressing trigger. Jones was the one they attacked every single time he got the ball, applying pressure in an attempt to force a mistake. With that in mind, the Scouser did reasonably well.
We still think he suits the wide-left role in this 4-4-2 far better and his best moments undoubtedly came down that side. Jones nearly created a goal for Mohamed Salah after bursting in behind through the left channel.
But perhaps the sitting midfield role is one for the future. Jones was decent enough given his obvious problems there – in time, he could become a true option.
Certainly, what he did on Saturday was difficult and Klopp is right to recognise it.
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