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Tag: Curtis Jones

  • Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have a player who is ‘more talented’ than he was

    Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have a player who is ‘more talented’ than he was

    Curtis Jones

    One midfield star continues to shine for Liverpool under Arne Slot, with Steven Gerrard even claiming that the 23-year-old is more gifted than he was in his prime.

    Gerrard believes Curtis Jones is technically more talented than he ever was and fully deserves his spot in the starting XI under Slot. The local talent reached his 150th appearance for Liverpool during their 3-3 draw with Newcastle on Wednesday, and given his role in Slot’s plans, this tally will likely keep growing.

    Jones has appeared in the Reds’ last 11 league matches, scoring key goals against Chelsea and Newcastle. He’s also played a vital part in the team’s flawless Champions League campaign so far.

    With Jones emerging as a standout under the Dutch manager, Gerrard acknowledged that his rise has been long-awaited and feels the young player surpasses him in certain technical areas. “Curtis is more talented than me in terms of technical, in terms of dribbling ability, in terms of manipulating the ball, close control,” Gerrard said, speaking to The Anfield Wrap.

    “He felt he was more than ready [to break through]. The academy felt he was ready, and the first team were probably thinking, yeah, he’s ready to come and be a part of it but also to drop in and out.”

    As Jones’ coach at U18 level, Gerrard recalled, “Every time Curtis played for me against Everton and Manchester United, he was the man of the match in every single game. That tells me that he’s got what you need to play for Liverpool. He needs to stay in this 11 now. He needs to take the challenge on.”

    Jones’ next challenge was to be a Merseyside derby against Everton, but adverse weather led to the game being postponed. As Gerrard pointed out, these high-stakes fixtures, charged with local rivalry, tend to bring out the best in the 23-year-old.

    “First things first, I just want to win,” Jones shared with Liverpool before the postponement. “I’m a lad who hates to lose, I just want to win any game – in training I want to win, in a small game with friends I want to win.”

    He continued, “But this game is one where you’ve got friends who are Everton fans, you’ve got family and stuff. It’s always seen as a battle of the city. I’m not going to think about that it’s the last one there and things like that – it’s with them and their fans and their history there. It doesn’t really affect me.”

    “But any time that I play a game, I always want to win – and especially around these, I want to win even more. I’d like to come away with three points and a good game.”

  • Prior to their Europa League match, Liverpool has announced Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota injury news expected return dates.

    Prior to their Europa League match, Liverpool has announced Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota injury news expected return dates.

    Prior to their Europa League match, Liverpool has announced Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota injury news expected return dates.

    Recent injury reports for Liverpool following the Reds’ 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

    Cody Gakpo suffered an injury in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool is awaiting further information on the incident.
    The forward is just one of many Reds who may miss the team’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion the following weekend.

    At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Gakpo was replaced just minutes after he had canceled out Son Heung-min’s 36th-minute goal.

    Gakpo wasn’t the only Liverpool player to leave the field early during the defeat in North London, as Curtis Jones and Jota were both given red cards by referee Simon Hooper either side of their respective teams’ equalizers.

    Following are the most recent Liverpool injury updates and potential return dates.

    Cody Gakpo.

    Gakpo was traveling back to Merseyside with a brace on his leg, according to Klopp in his post-game press conference following the defeat in North London.

    “To be honest, the biggest issue with the game.
    “We got a free-kick before Cody Gakpo scored, and he got hurt.
    He now has a brace on and is limping down the hallway,” the Liverpool manager told reporters.
    To be completely honest, that is currently my biggest issue.
    Really, really bad, we lost two players (due to red cards) and possibly a third. So, yes, that is something we must obviously address.

    When asked if Gakpo’s injury was a “bad one,” Klopp responded, “Perhaps, I don’t know.
    He was braced.
    Even though he had just scored, he still felt the impact of that shot. It was caused by the earlier foul.

    Expected return date: Unknown

    Curtis Jones.

    In the 26th minute, Jones was dismissed for Yves Bissouma’s lunge.
    Prior to VAR’s recommendation that he watch the challenge on the pitch-side monitor, referee Simon Hooper initially gave the midfielder a yellow card for the tackle.

    Hooper quickly glanced at slowed-down replays before brandishing a red card in Jones’ direction.

    Jones will currently miss the Reds’ upcoming matches against Brighton, Everton, and Nottingham Forest as a result of his dismissal, which carries a three-match suspension.

    He will be available for Thursday’s Europa League match against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium.
    Next month’s League Cup match against Bournemouth could mark his return to domestic competition.

    Return date: November 1

    Diogo Jota.

    Liverpool was later down to nine men after Jota was dismissed for receiving two yellow cards in quick succession after Jones’ first-half dismissal.

    But unlike Jones, the Portugal international will only miss one game of his suspension and will be eligible for selection when Everton comes to Anfield on October 21.

    Thiago Alcantara.

     

    Prior to their Europa League match, Liverpool has announced Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota injury news expected return dates.

    The midfielder hasn’t played since April, extending his absence from Liverpool to six months.

    The Spaniard has not yet resumed training after experiencing a setback in his recovery from hip surgery at the tail end of last season.

    Pep Lijnders responded, “We’ve missed Thiago, no?
    He makes the ball arrive in the right spaces, when asked about the midfielder’s fitness last week. We need him back.
    Although he has yet to resume training, he is recovering.
    How that turns out will depend on time.

    Expected return date: Unknown 

    Conor Bradley.

    The young full-back displayed promise during preseason games in Germany, playing 90 minutes over the course of two games.

    Following a minor, unidentified injury, he was later excluded from the group that traveled to Singapore.
    He hasn’t been included in any matchday squads since the season’s start, but he has been participating in training since his teammates returned to England.

    After demonstrating his abilities in League One with Bolton Wanderers the previous season, the Northern Irishman is anticipated to fit into Klopp’s plans as Alexander-Arnold’s backup once he is healthy.

    Expected return date: Unknown