22-year-old Liverpool player is one of the most talented players Lee Carsley has ever seen

Add as preferred source on Google

England U21s manager Lee Carsley has named Liverpool’s Curtis Jones as one of the best talents he’s ever seen.

Jones has had a good campaign on the whole so far, although injuries and suspension have interrupted his rhythm of late.

The positive form carries on from the 22-year-old shining during this summer’s U21 Euros, which he won with England. Now, speaking via the Liverpool ECHO, coach Carsley has raved about the qualities he’s seen from Jones.

“Similar to Cole [Palmer], I’m not surprised one bit [by how Jones is doing]. Curtis would be up there with the most talented players I’ve worked with,” said the former Everton midfielder.

“He’s got everything that you need as a midfielder. He can run, he is very, very fast, he’s powerful, he can score, he can assist, he can defend, he can take the ball – all he needs is opportunity.

“The way he’s played when I’ve seen him play, he’s been outstanding. He just needed to stay fit. I know he’s struggled sometimes with that consistency of playing but to see him take that form that he showed in the summer, that responsibility, the understanding of the position, into playing for Liverpool is brilliant to see.”

Carsley makes Jones point

Liverpool fans probably already know – and agree with – all of the things Carsley says about their No.17 here.

It’s always been apparent, but over the past six months it’s become even clearer that Jones is a special player. In terms of attributes, he looks to have everything needed to make it as a top midfielder at Liverpool.

There’s just one problem, and it’s been a problem ever since the Scouser broke through the academy into the first-team: injuries.

If not for those pesky little issues, it’s not hard to imagine Jones in Jurgen Klopp’s best XI for the Reds. The manager fancies him and has continued to play him when available this season.

At only 22, there’s still plenty of time for those niggles to be ironed out. But Curtis is on the verge of being labelled ‘injury-prone’ by a portion of the fanbase.

With so much competition for places in the Liverpool midfield, Jones can’t afford to get left behind.

On paper, he has every bit the talent of the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai. But while the academy graduate has been missing this season, both have made their case to start ahead of him in the long-term.

Jones has come through these lay-offs in the past to reclaim his place, though. There’s no reason he can’t do so again. As Carsley says, he’s got the talent to do it. Get fit, then let’s see what happens.