Liverpool’s derby day gamble paid off big time with Jurgen Klopp’s youthful lineup claiming a well-deserved FA Cup third round victory over their Merseyside rivals Everton.
There was no shortage of heroes on display, but it was 18-year-old Curtis Jones who wrote his name into the history books , with his stunning, curling strike enough to send his side into the fourth round and a trip to Shrewsbury Town or Bristol City .
Needless to say, the Toxteth-born teenager has been singled out for special praise, after opening his senior goal scoring account in the most eye-catching of styles.
“Curtis Jones looks like he’s got the lot,” said Joe Rimmer on the latest Blood Red podcast .
“And when he scored it felt like the Gerrard goal versus Sheffield Wednesday or Wayne Rooney versus Arsenal.
“It was his moment that says, ‘I’ve arrived’.”
And it was not just the manner of the goal that impressed Rimmer, but how he reacted following his 71st-minute wonder-strike.
“The 10 minutes after that when they played balls up to him, his chest was puffed out and he played like he belongs, and he proved he belongs,” he said.
“We’ll be hearing a hell of a lot more from Curtis Jones in the future and a few more derby winners with the way he plays.”
