Liverpool’s win over Eintracht Frankfurt will definitely boost the hopes that the squad can find a new lease of form.
The Reds were able to thrash the German hosts 5-1 despite going behind early from a clever Rasmus Kristensen move as they looked much more in control than in any of the previous games.
It was a night where a slight change of formation and names on the teamsheet benefited Arne Slot’s men, with brilliant choices such as putting Hugo Ekitike back in the starting XI really working in their favour.
Other changes that really helped the team, and if anything ensured that there was a better level of control, were the partnership between Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The pair worked very well together in the absence of Ryan Gravenberch and showed a second effective way of having a backup holding player who is still able to string moves together effectively.
Jay Spearing says ‘exceptional’ Curtis Jones has played his way into the Liverpool team
While Szoboszlai is rightly being praised for his performance, so is the Scouser, who really impressed, considering he does not play very often, especially not in a starting XI.
The 24-year-old has not really had his chance to stand out this season, with the form of the team being so disjointed that he cannot really affect the changes needed.
READ MORE: Curtis Jones can be Arne Slot’s secret weapon in getting Liverpool back on track this season
Jay Spearing, though, believes that this showing against Frankfurt was exactly what the star needed to break into the team, as he praised his performance last night.
Speaking to The Official Liverpool FC Podcast, the academy player-coach highlighted his partnership with Szoboszlai as ‘elite’.
Spearing said: “Yeah, I think, you know, for me, I think if you look at a few individuals, I think they’ve played well this season. I think Curtis has probably played himself into the team. And I thought he was exceptional tonight.
“I thought him and Dominik Szoboszlai controlled the whole game. I thought the levels that they played that were well above, you know, they were Champions League elite for me.”
Curtis Jones has to be integrated into the side
There is no doubt that after a performance like that, he deserves his chance to show he can do it week in and week out.
However, as it usually is with Slot, Jones may still find himself waiting for his chance, given the manager’s use of a player like Federico Chiesa this season.
It will be difficult, considering Ryan Gravenberch was injured for this game, and he will likely start consistently.
Jones has shown that there is an option to play it differently depending on the game, but it is now on Slot to recognise that and utilise it effectively going forward.
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