Jurgen Klopp has praised Curtis Jones and Jordan Henderson for the way they pressed against Leeds United last night.
Jones and Henderson started in the Liverpool midfield together for the third game running at Elland Road. And despite some early wobbles, both grew into a match that the Reds ended up winning comfortably.
There was quality on the ball from the two players – each grabbed an assist on the night. But speaking in his post-match press conference via liverpoolfc.com, Klopp was keen to point out the work his two midfielders got through off the ball.
“The front three played tonight – and we could’ve had a completely different front three – the way they defended tonight, that was an important part of it, because they all can play football, but we need to understand it starts there. I think the counter-pressing mode was set by Curtis and Hendo, it was absolutely top how they chased pretty much everything on the pitch. That was supper important” said the manager.
“I didn’t remember situation where Robbo was in a one-on-one situation or Trent was in a one-on-one situation because we were always moving to the ball. So many important things and I liked it a lot.”
Liverpool press all the right buttons
After a miserable April so far, last night was hopefully a sign of things to come for the rest of the season for Liverpool. If they’re to have any chance of sneaking into the top four, they’ll probably have to win each of their remaining eight games.
Should this version of the Reds turn up in each of those matches, then they’ll have a decent chance of doing just that.
It wasn’t perfect, and Leeds were given far too much encouragement on the counter early on in the game. But it was so much better than what we’ve been served up pretty much all season. A huge part of that, as it always is with Liverpool, was the pressing.
For too many games this campaign that part of the Reds play has been invisible. There have been reasons for that. Klopp is right to mention the front-three because with new personnel coming in and lots of chopping and changing up-front, Liverpool’s first line of press has been tampered with.
But it’s also clearly a reflection on the ageing midfield options. Obviously, Jones doesn’t fall into that category. But the 22-year-old has found himself lumped in with the ‘not good enough’ group for most of the year.
In truth, the academy graduate has been hugely unlucky with injuries. Had he been fit and available more than he has been, perhaps he’d have had the breakthrough season many had tipped him for last summer. Now though, with Liverpool’s midfield overhaul on the way, Jones has given a timely reminder that he can still very much be the player Jurgen needs him to be.