Liverpool produced a woeful performance as they drew 0-0 with Arsenal on Thursday night, with Curtis Jones one of the few positives to take from the League Cup tie.
The release of Jurgen Klopp‘s squad ahead of kickoff in the Anfield semi-final saw surprise at the strength of his selection, but also the makeup of his midfield.
Despite both Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being available, the manager opted for a 36-year-old James Milner alongside Jordan Henderson and Fabinho – a trio proven to stifle Liverpool’s creativity.
Against an Arsenal side down to 10 men, the lack of creativity in that unit was felt heavily, with the Reds way too slow and predictable against a deep-sitting defence.
The introduction of Jones for Milner on the hour mark gave the hosts a spark, with the 20-year-old firing his side’s only shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Watching on, Liverpool fans picked up on his impact – with many praising the No. 17 on social media.
After a bright half-hour display, Jones was lauded…
Thought Curtis Jones was the only one who offered a bit ingenuity when he came on.
Only positive to take away from today. #LFC pic.twitter.com/QqICsRjQyH— ???????????.??? ? (@BlueChipLFC) January 13, 2022
Encouraging cameo from Curtis Jones. Should start while Thiago, Naby and Elliott are out. He injected a lot more quality in midfield.
Game was much more open 11 vs 11 but we should have won that comfortably. Missed out on a great opportunity to put the tie to bed. #LFC
— TweetingTopRed (@tweetingtopred) January 13, 2022
This game needed Curtis Jones much earlier
— Arákùnrin Mutiny????? (@Mutineer8961) January 13, 2022
Curtis Jones our best player within about 2 minutes.
— Erin Mc Asterisk (@ErinNYC75) January 13, 2022
The Curtis Jones cameo pic.twitter.com/TAQEDooNqJ
— ??K (@AIEyezOnMe) January 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/umirf1/status/1481734757562126345
Curtis Jones the only bright spark. No pace up top in system that requires pace. Say what you want but Fans are right to demand squad investment
— *KopTalk1892 (@KopTalk1892) January 13, 2022
Curtis Jones should have started. Milner should now be winding down and being limited to cameos
— Shane (Taylor's Version) (@Blame_Suarez) January 13, 2022
curtis jones has been brilliant since he came on, mental how he isn’t starting
— Jay Llewellyn (@JayLleweIIyn) January 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/AnfieldEffect/status/1481740044708765703
His fellow academy graduate, Neco Williams, also got praise…
Thought Curtis Jones and Neco Williams both tried to be positive with attacking movements when they came on.
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) January 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/TheLouisDangoor/status/1481746536568705025
https://twitter.com/AnfieldEffect/status/1481742105307398156
https://twitter.com/Ja__________ck/status/1481743284791910403
Curtis Jones and Neco Williams were the only two players with a bit of balls to try and make things happen.
— Killmonger (@AntonClarke1) January 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/patrick44newton/status/1481745965094686721
It is telling that Liverpool needed the thrust of two 20-year-old squad players to give them the impetus against 10 men, with Klopp’s tried-and-trusted lineup falling flat.
Having ripped up his League Cup blueprint by naming his strongest possible side – on paper, at least – there is a sense that those who dragged the Reds to this semi-final stage should have been rewarded instead.
For Jones, there could even be bigger things on the horizon, beginning with a start against Brentford on Sunday.
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