Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has told the official club website that he is now close to being back to full fitness.
For the most part, the 21-year-old has been out of action for three months from a bone injury.
As a result, he has started just one Premier League game thus far this season, having played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s wildly disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Despite this, Jones appears to have built his fitness back up, with a near 30-minute cameo off the bench against Ajax on Wednesday saw the youngster feature in his third consecutive match.
Taking to an interview with Liverpool’s official club website, Jones spoke of his delight to be back playing football after a lengthy period on the sidelines – and admitted that he is now on the verge of returning to full health.
“It was a bone injury and if you get a bone injury it’s always from a bad tackle or something like that but it wasn’t, they [the medical team] said it was from a stress response.
“I don’t know what it was from, [maybe] a bad pitch or an overload of things. So, it was unusual but it’s fine now. I’m back, I’m playing, I’m happy and I’m smiling again, so happy days.
“Fitness-wise, I wouldn’t say I am 100 per cent yet but I’m definitely almost there.”
Jones now nearing full fitness
Jurgen Klopp will be thrilled at the news Jones will be feeling like he’s close to returning to full fitness, as his availability will provide an alternative outlet in the midfield.
With Arthur Melo and Naby Keita out injured for a considerable amount of time, the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be looked towards as they near their return from absence.
In the midfield, Thiago is often credited with any chances Liverpool create going forward, as his masterful passing ability has proven difficult for Premier League defences to deal with since his arrival at Anfield back in 2020.
Jordan Henderson looked a bright spark midweek against Ajax, playing a myriad of exquisite balls for Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez to pounce upon.
However, the skipper has often been unreliable on the ball this season, with his playmaking ability slightly hit-and-miss in recent weeks.
Therefore, when Thiago is absent, a lack of creativity is visibly evident in the middle of the park.
Consequently, Jones’ return from injury should alleviate the damage felt in his omission. The 21-year-old is very confident on the ball, dazzling defenders with his quick feet and rapid bursts of pace.
His ability to drive with the ball at defenders allows forwards to exploit the space created behind the back-line; with Nunez’s electric speed deemed a perfect match to capitalise on Jones’ direct runs.
The youngster’s offensive capabilities will thus provide Klopp with a more attacking option to utilise in the midfield, as the likes of James Milner should not been seen as a suitable candidate to bring on as a substitute when your team are looking for a goal.
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