Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is finally getting recognition for one key reason – his goals, according to ex-Reds star Jamie Redknapp.
The midfielder got his name on the scoresheet for the first time this season as he lashed Liverpool in front in the Premier League contest against Brentford with a fierce drive which flew into the net via a slight deflection.
But Brentford substitute Yoane Wissa finished from close range eight minutes from time to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw for the hosts.
He also impressed during Liverpool's Champions League encounter against Porto, with his parried shot producing the early breakthrough goal from Mohamed Salah.
And his performances have caught the eye of Redknapp as well, who told Sky Sports' Essential Football Podcast :“I’m a big fan of Curtis Jones. I love the way he plays, scores goals, he’s got good energy and works hard for the team.
“In a way, I’m sure like all players, maybe his nose was put out of joint a little bit when Harvey Elliot was starting against him, he probably thought with Gini Wijnaldum going ‘this is a big opportunity for me’, so he’s had to wait.
“But with somebody getting injured it’s given him an opportunity and he’s certainly taken it. He was very good in midweek, against Brentford he took his goal well.
“In football, especially in midfield, I think sometimes the recognition only comes when you score goals. You might have a really good game but no one talks about you in the press, you don’t really hear too much about someone’s performance, and sometimes you have a game where you don’t actually play that well but you score and everyone’s now talking about you and it gets your confidence up.
“And I can see that with Curtis Jones, and Harvey Elliot when he comes back, Liverpool have got some really good young players coming through. Harvey was obviously signed from Fulham but Curtis is a local lad and that’s always what the Liverpool fans like to see so I’m very impressed with the players and the options they have are brilliant right now.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Jones after the academy graduate put in a stellar performance in the 5-1 win over Porto midweek.
The 20-year-old was at the heart of all the Reds’ best attacking moves and had a significant influence as Sadio Mane, Salah and substitute Roberto Firmino all scored and Klopp’s side made it 14 goals in their last three visits to the Estadio do Dragao since 2018.
What was more impressive was he was struggling with illness before kick-off.
“Curtis played a good game. He had some problems a little bit with the stomach before the game,” said Klopp.
“They (medical staff) told me I need to keep an eye on him but I told him after the game ‘Whatever it is, keep it’ because it was really a good game.
“He was everywhere, he was involved in everything. Set up the first goal with a surprising finish, goalie cannot save it.
“In a lot of other situations he was really there – maybe not as spectacular as the offensive stuff, but defensively he played a top-class game.
“A lot of things I liked a lot about his performance tonight. So, let’s keep going, Curtis, it was not bad tonight.”
