In Awe: Jurgen Klopp’s Astonishment upon Witnessing Curtis Jones’ Debut Performance for Liverpool
Liverpool star Curtis Jones has once again left Jurgen Klopp amazed with his exceptional display against Leicester, where he netted a remarkable brace in a stunning performance. The young midfielder was awarded the player of the match accolade for his outstanding contributions at the King Power Stadium.
In the first half, Jones showcased his prowess by scoring two goals within a span of just two minutes. The first goal saw him expertly volley in Mohamed Salah’s cross from the back post. However, it was his second strike that stole the show. Positioned on the edge of the area, Jones skillfully received Salah’s pass, effortlessly turned his body towards the goal, and unleashed an unstoppable shot that left Foxes goalkeeper Daniel Iversen helpless.
This marks the first time that the England youth international has scored a Premier League brace for Liverpool, although he had previously achieved the feat in a Carabao Cup match against Lincoln City. The Reds’ eventual 3-0 victory brought them within one point of securing a spot in the coveted Champions League places. It is worth noting that Liverpool had played one more game than both third-placed Newcastle and fourth-placed Manchester United.
Following the match, Klopp couldn’t hide his admiration for the young midfielder, stating, “Both goals were absolutely exceptional. I am not sure they were real chances. First with the left foot, a similar goal to the last goal he scored [against Tottenham]. The second one is a super finish. He is in a good moment, really cool.”
This recent feat has brought to light previous quotes from Klopp regarding Jones. Having come up through Liverpool’s academy and joining the club at the tender age of nine, Jones has spent his entire senior career under Klopp’s guidance. The German manager had his first glimpse of Jones in action when he assumed the role of Liverpool’s manager in 2015. However, it wasn’t until 2018 that Jones signed his first professional contract at Anfield.
Reflecting on his initial impression of the young talent after a Carabao Cup semi-final victory against Chelsea, where Jones shone, Klopp expressed his admiration. In an interview with talkSPORT, he revealed, “Look, you win a football game, a difficult one. You can only win it if all the players are good, but Curtis was really good in the last two games. I’m one of his biggest fans, to be honest. I saw him outside my office when I first joined and thought, ‘Wow, how old is he?’ He was 15. We couldn’t have won the game last night without good individual performances, and Curtis was one of them.”
Jones’ exceptional performance against Leicester has not only caught the attention of fans and pundits but has reignited Klopp’s awe for the talented midfielder. With his impressive skills, remarkable goals, and unwavering potential, Curtis Jones continues to captivate both his manager and the footballing world alike.