‘Outstanding’ Liverpool player has already improved so much from last season

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool’s thumping win over West Ham United last night was just what the doctor ordered.

After a disappointing 0-0 against Manchester United on Sunday, there were certainly nerves heading into the game. But a Curtis Jones inspired Liverpool swept those jitters aside, sending David Moyes’ team home with a 5-1 mauling.

As well as being the perfect pre-cursor to Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal, the game should also act as a springboard for a number of players.

At the top of that list should be Jones. Before last night’s match the 22-year-old hadn’t really been in the best of form. A disappointing showing at the Etihad in November perhaps signalled the lowest point of that.

But over the past few games, Curtis has underlined the steady improvements he’s been making. His two goals last night were his first of the season. That followed on from assists in successive games against Crystal Palace and then Union Saint-Gilloise.

Having also claimed an assist against Toulouse in the Europa League, Jones is now on five goal contributions in 16 games this season. Last season, the Scouser claimed only four in 23. He’s growing in influence.

Jones more effective in attack

Jones has always been a player who looks capable of making a difference in the final third of the pitch. However, as these statistics go to show, that promise hasn’t always actively developed.

Now though, there are real signs that Curtis is starting to learn to be more effective in attack.

Jurgen Klopp spoke after yesterday’s win to highlight how he’s been working with his No.17 to use the ball more quickly.

Skilful as he is, Jones often wants extra touches of the ball to show of his capability. But it isn’t necessary. In fact, the academy graduate can make a much bigger impact by working out when the touches are needed, and when they aren’t.

The challenge now is for Jones to keep that up. It’s all well and good receiving praise for a top performance every once in a while – as he did yesterday, being called ‘outstanding’ by Clinton Morrison. But can he do it consistently?

Curt certainly has the talent to do so, that’s always been clear. Yesterday, Harry Redknapp claimed that the England U21 star has the ability to ‘walk’ into any Premier League team he wanted to. Although that’s maybe an exaggeration, Jones could be a star at a team lower down the division, no doubt about it.

Liverpool is where he wants to be, though. And having got himself to this point, he now needs to keep learning and improving.

Perhaps we’ll never see Jones explode into a player who starts for the Reds week in, week out. But for the moment, steady improvement is the least we can ask for. Right now, Curtis is showing that. Continue on this path, and there’s no reason he can’t hit double figures for the season.