The setting was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training base before the opening friendly of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of America.
“This now is more me. I can get on the ball more. I can ‘do me’ more,” Curtis Jones told the assembled media as he gave a glowing endorsement of working with new head coach Arne Slot.
Jones meant no disrespect to former manager Jurgen Klopp; he simply felt that a playing style involving more control and less chaos would better enable him to showcase his strengths.
Injury and the form of fellow midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai limited his chances to back up those bold words with deeds in the early stages of the season, but Sunday’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea represented a significant step forward for him.
Handed only his second league start of the campaign after Slot opted to rest Mac Allister, who had been ill following international duty with Argentina, Jones lit up Anfield with arguably the most complete performance of his Liverpool career.
What a way to cap such a memorable week after becoming a father for the first time following the birth of his daughter Giselle. His thumb-sucking celebration in front of the Kop after scoring what proved to be the winner was a tribute to her.
“It’s the best thing ever,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m playing with a smile on my face. It’s a different type of joy. She’s a little dream.”
Curtis Jones RESPONDS immediately for Liverpool! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/v3urTHUgNU
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 20, 2024
THIS GAME HAS BLOWN WIDE OPEN. 🤯
Chelsea equalize through Nicolas Jackson, but Liverpool retake the lead within minutes thanks to a tidy Curtis Jones finish!
📺 USA Network | #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/0bfyjYplTE
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 20, 2024
Jones left the club’s training complex on Friday laden with gifts for girlfriend Saffie and their new arrival including a baby LFC kit and teddy. He spent Saturday night in the spare room to ensure he was fully rested before meeting up with Slot’s squad.
There was certainly no doubting his energy levels against Chelsea as he made a vital contribution at both ends of the field.
Defensively, he did brilliantly to help snuff out the threat of the prolific Cole Palmer as he denied him space to operate in. The contest was still goalless when Jones raced back to make a goal-saving block to thwart the England international.
Jones came out on top in six of his nine duels (67 per cent) and won back possession on six occasions — the only player on either side to better that figure was Levi Colwill (seven).
“Curtis had a very good game,” Slot said. “He had a difficult job to control Cole Palmer, who is an incredible player with so many qualities. But Curtis did really well and controlled him for most parts of the game.”
In possession, Jones completed 37 of his 41 passes (90 per cent) and created two chances. On a day when Liverpool only had eight shots — their lowest total in a top-flight game this season — the academy graduate caused the visitors as many problems as anyone.
After being brought down by Colwill for the penalty which Mohamed Salah converted, Jones thought he had earned a second spot-kick when he was upended by Robert Sanchez just before the break.
The decision was overturned after the VAR urged referee John Brooks to go to the screen as the keeper had touched the ball before the collision, but the opening stemmed from Jones’ intelligent burst in behind as he latched on to Darwin Nunez’s pass.
One of the key things Slot has worked with both Jones and Szoboszlai on going back to pre-season is timing their runs better to arrive in the box for scoring chances.
The winning goal shortly after Nicolas Jackson had restored parity was the perfect example of that. As he darted towards the penalty area, Jones pointed to exactly where he wanted it and Salah didn’t let him down. It was Jones’ first Premier League goal since the home victory over Newcastle United on New Year’s Day.
“For a player who wants to play in this team, you’ve got to run, you’ve got to have energy, you’ve got to be all over the pitch,” Jones added.
“You’ve got to help with the goals and the assists. And if you’re in centre midfield, you’ve got to go and press, you’ve got to get back, you’ve got to help out. That’s what I try to do.”
So adept at using his body to get out of tight spots, Jones also endeared himself to the Kop with his combative edge and hint of devilment. Having ignored Jackson and played on when the Chelsea striker went down in the centre circle asking for treatment, he then fumed when team-mate Ibrahima Konate subsequently kicked the ball out of play.
It hasn’t been plain sailing for Jones since he burst on to the scene as a teenager. He’s been dealt plenty of misfortune with injuries, but on each occasion he has battled back and proved his worth.
He met LeBron James when USA played Germany in a warm-up game for the Olympics in London in July and he has studied how the NBA star prepares for matches both physically and mentally.
At the age of 23, Jones is desperate to kick on and nail down a regular starting spot at his boyhood club. He couldn’t have done any more on Sunday to advance those claims.
The standing ovation he received from an appreciative Anfield when replaced by Mac Allister late on was richly deserved. The biggest victory of the Slot era so far was achieved thanks to a show of resilience and grit as Liverpool dug deep to regain top spot. Jones epitomised those qualities.
(Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
