After an ineffective first half towards West Ham, Curtis Jones stepped up as a game-changer for Liverpool of their 5-1 victory after a change of place.
Jones was one among 9 gamers introduced into the aspect for the Carabao Cup third-round tie at Anfield, with the Reds unsurprisingly struggling for fluency early on.
However after Diogo Jota cancelled out Jarell Quansah‘s personal objective to make sure the 2 sides went into half-time at 1-1, Arne Slot was in a position to oversee a significant shift in fortunes.
4 objectives got here within the second half with no reply from West Ham, with Jones laying on Jota’s second of the evening with a superb run and thru ball.
Talking to LFCTV after the sport, Jones revealed that he had advised the pinnacle coach on the break that Liverpool had “no area” in midfield.
“At half-time I used to be saying there’s no area, they arrange with a mid block the place it was exhausting for the centre-mids to play and stuff,” the No. 17 defined.
“However within the second half it opened up extra, I used to be in a position to get more room and we have been taking part in by way of extra, and that’s the place the objectives got here from.”
That got here with Jones switching roles, with Slot trusting Wataru Endo to shore issues up because the deepest midfielder.
“I used to be taking part in extra as a No. 8 within the first half and within the second half I performed extra as a No. 10,” Jones stated.
“I feel that’s form of gone within the recreation now, however I used to be greater up.
“I’m extra snug round there, I really feel extra free. Then I confirmed I can play across the field. I had a load of pictures which I didn’t rating, however ultimately it’s going to come.”
On his help, Jones laughed: “I used to be almost nicked on the ball really, simply fortunate!
“However yeah, it’s a factor the gaffer and the employees have stated about me, once I choose up the ball I’ve acquired to run extra. It’s a energy of mine.
“In order that’s what I attempted, I picked it up once more, slipped in Jota and knew he was going to attain, so I already had a smile on my face as soon as it went by way of his legs.”
After selecting up a muscle harm in coaching in the beginning of the season, Jones was left to make do with back-to-back cameos towards Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
However he was introduced into the aspect towards West Ham as one among 5 gamers making their first begins of the season.
“And that is why he at all times scores!” ?
Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones react to Liverpool’s 5-1 Carabao Cup win over West Ham ? pic.twitter.com/HzrgfAi2Mk
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) September 25, 2024
Talking to Sky Sports activities after the sport, the midfielder mirrored on a tricky begin to the marketing campaign with optimism.
“I’m only a lad who at all times needs to play,” he stated.
“It’s been exhausting, I’ve had an harm and stuff, however now I’m again and I’m taking part in video games with a smile on my face.”
With Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai all amongst Slot’s 5 most-used gamers to date this season, having Jones again match and settled is a big increase.
As Liverpool’s busy fixture record continues the Scouser will be anticipated to be amongst these recurrently rotated into the aspect, and on Wednesday evening’s proof there can be no points if he’s.
