LIVERPOOL look to have another club icon in the making with Curtis Jones being tipped as the next Steven Gerrard.
Anyone mentioned in the same breath as the Anfield hero obviously has some massive boots to fill, and he could make quite the impression in tonight’s FA Cup tie with Chelsea.
Curtis Jones is being mentioned as the next Steven Gerrard at AnfieldCredit: Getty Images
Jones will be in the thick of the action in the FA Cup tonightCredit: Reuters
But if anyone can emulate Gerrard it is 19-year-old Jones, blessed with a big mane of hair and even bigger potential.
He joined the club with the Under-9s and progressed quickly, making his U18s debut as an U16 player in the 2016-17 season, and has gone on to captain both the U19s and U23s.
STREET KID
Jones was born in the city centre, and honed his skills on the street.
“At the top of my street, there’s a primary school,” he told The Independent.
“In the evenings, we’d climb over the fence and play on their pitch or take one of the goals and just play in the street all night – we’d always put it back afterwards though.
“I grew up the way a lot of Scousers do, just being a street kid, not having the best facilities, and making the most out of everything you can. “
In 2017, Jones became one of the most talked about youngsters in English football, when he led Liverpool to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Youth League with four goals.
They went out to Manchester City, with Jones being one of the Liverpool players to have their penalties saved in the 3-2 shootout.
Despite that upset, it helped cement his reputation as one of the most promising players of his generation.
Steven Gerrard has praised the 19-year-old as a top talentCredit: Getty
Curtis Jones is being tipped for big things at LiverpoolCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Steven Gerrard oversaw Curtis Jones’ development in the U18sCredit: PA:Empics Sport
READY FOR THE FIRST TEAM
This season, the Toxteth-born forward has seen his chances of first team football increase.
Training with the likes of Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Co has been an eye-opener for the local lad.
It definitely hits you,” he revealed.
“Everyone says I’m a confident lad and that I’ve got that bit of swagger about me, but regardless of who you are, there’s always that bit of fear inside your body.
“Not because of the opposition, but the opportunity, because you know it’s your chance and you don’t want to fail.
“I know I need to take things slowly and wait until my time’s right. Sadio [Mane], Mo [Salah], Bobby [Roberto Firmino], the lads in the dressing room are some of the best players in the world.
“If I was still sitting in the stands watching them I’d be like, ‘Oh my God’.”
The Liverpool-born wonderkid has impressed on the European stage this seasonCredit: Getty
Curtis Jones scored the winning penalty to beat Arsenal in the Carabao CupCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
DOWNED ARSENAL AND EVERTON
Jones made his debut in the 2019 FA Cup tie against Wolves, and most notably scored the winning penalty to down Arsenal in an epic Carabao Cup win, after the sides drew 5-5.
There’s also been a Merseyside derby goal to his name in the FA Cup earlier this season.
He said: “In your career, opportunities will come along the way to get more first-team football, but I know I’m not missing out on anything because I see what Jurgen [Klopp] tells the players, he speaks to me one-to-one, tells me what I need to improve on.
“I know he’s got faith in me. Being a local lad, my head’s only ever been on staying here to represent the area and show what local boys are capable of.”
It is Jones’ versatility all over the park that makes him such a valuable asset.
STEVIE G
Former Under-23s manager Michael Beale described him as a player “who can outplay you one-on-one, can play centre midfield, play wide and as a deep midfielder”.
But it’s former mentor Gerrard, who coached Jones at U18 level before leaving for the top job at Rangers, who he holds in highest regard.
After making his debut against Wolves in 2019, Jones is slowly getting opportunities in the first teamCredit: AP:Associated Press
Jones celebrates opening scoring in the Merseyside derby this seasonCredit: AFP or licensors
“A lot of people didn’t see the work both of us put in to push me on to get into the first team,” Jones said.
“Things weren’t always easy, but he was the perfect person at the perfect time to help me.
“He was the main coach who really told me what I had to work on. It was my all-round game, but also my all-round person. He knew the talent I had and put the fine details to me.”
Jurgen Klopp reacts to Liverpool’s first Premier League defeat in 44 matches
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
