Arne Slot interacts with Harvey Elliott of Liverpool as he prepares to enter the pitch during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC at Montilivi Stadium on December 10, 2024 (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Another week, another win for Liverpool, who remain top of the Champions League table with a 1-0 victory in Girona. It wasn't the best performance from Arne Slot's side but they have found the ability to grind out wins in what has been an impressive season so far.
But who have been the unsung heroes in Liverpool's early season charge? And who could emerge as one in the coming months of the campaign?
Our Liverpool FC jury have their say:
James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - Jones finally getting some recognition
Pleasingly, Curtis Jones’ contributions appear to have gained more recognition in recent weeks, although the midfielder’s excellent work arguably still goes under the radar too often.
As Arne Slot emphasised, Tuesday’s Champions League win in Girona wasn’t our best display. Encouragingly, though, we continued that healthy habit of getting the job done and Jones played a notable, if at times subtle, part. Alongside the familiarly classy Ryan Gravenberch, the 23-year-old was a welcome source of control.
The academy graduate has consistently been a valuable retainer of possession and reliever of pressure, while being brilliantly adaptable. It is a slightly reductionist way of putting it, given the flexible nature of Liverpool’s midfield, but the fact he’s played all three roles within it – from deepest to highest – reflects that.
Having scored, he was trusted to be at its base following Gravenberch’s substitution at Newcastle last Wednesday. That capacity could prove key in the coming weeks, with the Dutchman a booking away from a one-game Premier League suspension. Alexis Mac Allister’s absence against Fulham this weekend, through such a ban, means Jones’ tempo-dictating qualities will again be significant.
Now beyond 150 LFC appearances and with two strong England caps under his belt, Jones can continue to be a crucial contributor – subtly or otherwise – at club and international level in the coming years.
Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) - Big months head for Elliott
It feels like a big season for Harvey Elliott. Since his arrival at the club, he has shown glimmers of real stardom. One of his best attributes is his bravery; he likes to take the ball forward, make forward passes, take players on, and shoot on sight.
Under Klopp, it felt like a luxury to have Harvey in the midfield positions because he is not built for heavy metal football, but his talent is unarguable. He has the potential to reach the standards of Phil Foden, because he possesses similar attributes.
He will of course continue to be used in squad rotation, but Harvey will set his heights much higher than this: he will want to be a permanent fixture in the Liverpool midfield.
His English compatriot, Curtis Jones, has had a similar career trajectory, in that he too was used sparingly and in squad rotation. This year, however, we have seen Curtis attempt to barge his way through to the starting team sheet each week, and arguably, at this time, and in current form, most fans would prefer him to Dominik Szoboszlai. It feels like Harvey Elliott needs to have that type of impact to catapult him to a more consistent presence in the starting 11.
Perhaps my fear is that if Harvey Elliott’s time on the pitch dwindles, and if he picks up more injuries, his appetite to leave may grow, not because he does not want to play here, but because it is in most footballers’ DNA to crave playing time.
Harvey Elliott has not been helped with a surge of unfortunate injuries. With a more settled period, and with more opportunities to feature home and abroad, I have every confidence that Harvey Elliott will demonstrate his true value to the team.
Rhys Buchanan (Aigburth, @Rhys_Buchanan) - We're lucky to have Joe Gomez
Through the congested winter period it was perhaps inevitable we’d have to turn to the wider squad at times. With Konate and Bradley out for a while longer, it’s been great to see Joe Gomez get the called-up for a run of games once again.
Throughout the years he’s been an invaluable asset that’s pulled us through some tricky times and very nearly bagged his first and much-talked about first goal in a Liverpool shirt with a header against Girona on Tuesday night.
Now our longest serving player, Gomez was superb against Real Madrid, Man City and offered some great moments against Newcastle.
Having recently said it’s ‘a blessing’ to still be playing for The Reds, he will be nailed on to start this weekend and we’re incredibly lucky to be able to call on him.