Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy were full of praise for Curtis Jones following Liverpool’s win over Sheffield United on Sunday evening.
Jones was the star as Liverpool ended their four-match losing streak in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over the league’s bottom side at Bramall Lane.
The young midfielder opened the scoring early in the second half when he found the bottom corner with a powerful shot after the Blades had failed to deal with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross.
Liverpool doubled their lead midway through the second half when Roberto Firmino’s shot was deflected into his own net by Kean Bryan.
Victory was important for Jurgen Klopp’s side after defeats by Brighton, Manchester City, Leicester and Everton and leaves them two points adrift of fourth-placed West Ham.
There was a clear stand-out player for Premier League record goalscorer Shearer, who lavished Jones with praise on Match of the Day 2.
“They were very comfortable, it was a game they had to win,” Shearer said.
“When you look at the experience in the team, in midfield, it was the youngster that was the best player on the pitch, Curtis Jones - 20 starts he’s had this season, 20 years of age. He showed a great maturity, a lot of his good work was being the furthest man forward, driving forwards.
“He shows great intelligence of the game. He finds himself in the space and the ball falls to him and he sticks it away. He starts the move for the second bit of goal and his weight of pass was fantastic.”
Jones started alongside the more experienced pair of Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago Alcantara, but it was the youngster who made the biggest impression.
His first goal of the season was well earned and former Liverpool midfielder Murphy believes Jones’ talent has a high ceiling.
“He certainly will bring that (goals), he wants to get forward but you can trust him defensively,” Murphy said.
“He’s a superstar in the making. I don’t like to get too carried away but you have to with this lad, he’s that good. He’s shown a great level of maturity. He was terrific today but I thought the other young Scouse superstar, Trent (Alexander-Arnold), was back to his best.
“He’s had a difficult season when you set your standards so high, winning games, assists every week but he’s bounced back well. I thought his performance in the Merseyside derby was really good, back to his best.
“The crossing, the passing, what we expect. Defensively, he didn’t have much to do but he’s so comfortable on the ball, always a goal threat. He plays through lines, he always finds the right pass in the final third.
“It’s great to have two Scousers in the team, local lads, know what it means to be in the team. Good to see him back to his best.”
