Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win over Barnsley.
The scoreline was perhaps not a fair reflection of the performance, with late goals from Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz making it look much more comfortable than it actually was.
Ekitike and Wirtz continue to impress up top for Liverpool, but the overall team display was mixed.
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On that front, there has been much debate around the form of Curtis Jones, who started in midfield against Barnsley.
Liverpool fans clash over Curtis Jones after Barnsley
Jones’ performances have been inconsistent since he was brought back into the XI alongside Ryan Gravenberch.
He had a promising run at the back end of 2025, but fans are unhappy with the Liverpool midfielder’s recent showings.
Supporters have now been debating whether Jones should have been MOTM against Barnsley using Rousing The Kop’s TalkingPoints platform.
Wirtz leads the poll, but the Englishman is a close second, despite some suggesting he actually played badly.
One fan wrote: “Think Jones was the best of an underwhelming lot.”
A second replied: “Just what did Jones do that you think he did well ??? He and Macc were just awful. Did nothing but keep cycling 5-10yrd safe passes, left acres of space behind them and never ever covered back and won the ball back. Lazy, sterile and weak.
“Thought Jones was the best, keeping the ball well and progressing it out of midfield but it wasn’t a great performance by Liverpool,” a third added.
“Anyone voting for Jones as MotM has never played football in their life – he was atrocious. One of the worst games I have ever seen from him – and he’s had plenty of poor games,” claimed another fan.
A fifth agreed: “I actually agree. Ghosted through the game. Was baffled by the MOTM shouts on the telly!”
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Meanwhile, a few more Liverpool stars earned shouts to be awarded MOTM.
“Florian Wirtz because he came on and instantly the energy changed, he complements Ekitike, and they bounce off each other so well. The result of the pairing is there for everyone to see. Flo just creates that moment of magic and with a little more time, he will be unstoppable,” one supporter commented.
Another suggested: “Ekitike did more in a few minutes than everyone else put together,” while Jeremie Frimpong was also praised: “Frimpong starting to show why LFC paid £30m to get him!”
Liverpool are now set to face Burnley on Saturday, and it remains to be seen how, if at all, Slot will use Jones.
He may be needed at right-back, given the recent injury to Conor Bradley, and Mohamed Salah’s continued absence, requiring Frimpong or Dominik Szoboszlai to be used off the right.
But if he is played in the pivot next to Gravenberch, he has shown several times this season that he can perform to a high level.
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