Liverpool U21s coach Barry Lewtas has admitted that he really sympathises with Curtis Jones current injury problems.
Jones has only played four times for the Reds this season, as he’s struggled to overcome a series of issues. In a bid to gain some fitness, the 21-year-old featured for the youth team last Sunday. And speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Lewtas explained the decision to give Jones a run out.
“It’s just to give him more minutes. Curt’s been unbelievably unfortunate with injuries,” the coach said. “Sometimes this is just a really good opportunity for him to get a shirt on. There’s nothing like a game.
“It’s not Anfield, but putting the kit on and playing against people who want to tackle you, chase you and there’s something on it – you can’t replicate that sometimes. For Curt, he was always only going to get 45 minutes.”
Jones waiting for luck to change
There’s no doubt that Jones has been unlucky in recent times. Not only this season, but last season too.
Having played 34 times in 2020/21, the Scouser has made just 35 appearances in the season-and-a-half since.
Some of that is due to his place in the Liverpool midfield pecking order. But largely, Jones’ absence from the squad has been down to injury.
Every time he looks like he’s back from his latest setback, another one rears its head.
More often that not, these injuries are what has been described as ‘freak’ problems. With many seemingly linked to issues relating to Jones’ growth, hopefully they’ll be ironed out as he ages.
In that respect, the next year or so will likely determine how much of a Liverpool future he has.
Jones will be twenty-two by the end of the month. He isn’t exactly a young prospect anymore. If his injuries do persist, he runs the danger of becoming seen as an unfulfilled talent.
Should that happen, perhaps his Liverpool career will go up in smoke. But Jones has recently spoken of his desire to see out his career with his boyhood club. For that to happen, his luck is going to have to change. And pretty quickly, too.
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