Liverpool maintained their winning run in the UEFA Champions League with a scrappy 1-0 win away to Girona.
A Mohamed Salah penalty was all that was needed for the Reds to secure all three points as Liverpool welcomed the return of Alisson Becker between the sticks, with the Brazilian international impressing having not played in nearly two months.
With Andy Robertson named Liverpool’s Man of the Match, the Anfield side know they could have suffered a poor result had Girona’s finishing on the night been better, with Arne Slot’s side themselves struggling to make chances.
And Shay Given has said one Liverpool player looks like he still hasn’t grasped played in the Champions League just yet.
Curtis Jones of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6, match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC at Estadi...
Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images
Curtis Jones ‘struggling’ for Liverpool in Champions League games
Speaking on Premier Sports coverage of the game, the former Republic of Ireland international was critical of Curtis Jones‘ performance for Liverpool, with the midfielder hooked off with 15 minutes to go for Harvey Elliott.
Jones has been one of Liverpool’s most improved players this season under Slot, with the 23-year-old earning his first England senior cap earlier this year and becoming a real midfield option for the Reds to replace Alexis Mac Allister.
Yet Given has not been impressed with how Jones has been performing in Europe this season, with the pundit saying when asked about why Liverpool struggled against Girona: “I just think tonight their performance was down to a mental thing.
“I wouldn’t say there was an arrogance, but you saw Jones struggling early, he’s been struggling big time in the Champions League, it’s like you have to turn up and “go through the motions,” and I don’t think he can do that halfway through a game.”
Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 4, 2024 in New...
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Has Jones been poor in the Champions League this season?
With three starts and five total appearances in the Champions League this season, Jones has seen quite his fair share of European football this campaign with the Reds, with the midfielder even picking up an assist against Bayer Leverkusen.
Curtis Jones’ 2024/25 UEFA Champions League stats
Games played 5
Goals 0
Assists 1
And although Given’s criticism on Jones seems a bit of an overreach, the England international himself might be the first to admit that his performances in Europe could be better, especially those away from Anfield.
Indeed, Jones is playing his third season of Champions League football and knows the expectations that come with competing in such a tournament, and the midfielder will want to show by the end of the campaign that he has what it takes to face the best in the world and come out on top.
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