Curtis Jones keeps Jurgen Klopp promise as Thiago brings new challenge to Liverpool

Thiago Alcantara, who was watching from Sir Kenny Dalglish’s stand, surely would have nodded in approval.

As time passed towards the final 15 minutes, Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones received the ball near the sideline with Harry Kane in close attendance.

Jones moved skillfully across the field and, as Lucas Moura approached, in a quick motion transferred the ball from the right foot to the left, threw a pass to Andy Robertson and then got into position to take back in front of Kane, roll him once on his right foot. more, then transfer possession to Rhys Williams to start another Liverpool attack.

In just six seconds, the 19-year-old had showcased the technique, understanding and sheer self-confidence that make him an irresistible prospect in the Reds midfielder.

And just yards from Jose Mourinho, the Tottenham Hotspur boss has witnessed first hand the raw talent and outrageous confidence that has helped the youngster build a flourishing reputation at Liverpool Academy.

Incredible to consider, then, that this was just a sixth Premier League start for Jones. Indeed, he hadn’t even completed a full 90 minutes in the top flight before the 3-0 home win over Leicester City on 22 November.

Jurgen Klopp had said in July he looked forward to Liverpool having ‘a lot’ of fun with Jones this season, hinting at extra game time during the campaign.

But even the Reds boss will surely be surprised at how quickly Jones has acclimated to life in the first team.

His Champions League credentials were underlined by the opportunistic strike against Ajax earlier this month which secured Liverpool first place in the group and a round of 16 game with RB Leipzig.

The Premier League, however, is where Jones really starts to shine on a regular basis, seizing with both hands the opportunity that has presented itself due to the ongoing injury crisis at Liverpool.

Numerous stats demonstrated Liverpool’s dominance against Tottenham on Wednesday, including Klopp’s side managing 239 assists in the final third, against just 24 of the visitors.

But the one that highlighted Jones’ influence was his total of 81 completed passes in the opposing half of the field – 24 more than the ENTIRE Tottenham team succeeded in the Liverpool half.

Also, only Roberto Firmino covered more distance during the game, only Andy Robertson and Jordan Henderson had more touches and no one made more passes.

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So it’s no coincidence that it was a strong run from Jones into the box that prompted Mohamed Salah’s deflected first game against Tottenham. Just as there was no coincidence, it was another push from Jones that secured the free kick on which Liverpool won the penalty for their equalizer at Fulham three days earlier.

And the most impressive aspect of his aforementioned flash of skill is that it wasn’t showboating for fun. The end product justified the business, although there was more than a touch of impudence.

But that’s all Jones. What he has done for the Under-18s, the Under-23s and in the UEFA Youth League, he is already doing on the biggest national stage. Even better, and with the discipline and composure of an experienced professional, not yet a teenager.

With the number 17 on his back, comparisons to Steven Gerrard, another local talent to wear the jersey earlier in his career, are inevitable.

Jones won’t mind. In fact, his unwavering self-confidence suggests that he will likely welcome such pressure.

The sight of Thiago returning to individual training in Kirkby and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita on the bench means that the scrap for engine room seats will begin in earnest soon.

Everyone will know that Jones is now a real rival for a starting place. The fun has only just begun.