Liverpool were given the guard of honour once again as they faced off against Arsenal, their closest title rivals, at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Reds quickly ran into an impressive 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, but second-half headers from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino meant that the game ended level.
Liverpool-Arsenal
Arne Slot opted to go with Conor Bradley from the start over the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold, which he confirmed before the weekend, and it was a match of mixed success for the young defender.
The big talking point from Liverpool vs Arsenal
It was a big chance for the Northern Ireland international to show the Anfield supporters what the future without Trent will look like down the right flank on Merseyside.
Chalkboard FFC
Chalkboard
Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
There were good and bad moments for the academy graduate, who won four of his five aerial battles. The highlight of his performance was a sensational last-ditch challenge on Martinelli when the Brazil international looked certain to be through on goal, covering in behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
However, Bradley also lost five of his nine ground duels and did not do enough to put pressure on Leandro Trossard, whose cross teed up Martinelli for Arsenal's first goal.
conor-bradley-liverpool-premier-league
Despite that moment, it was a game in which the full-back certainly took praise in light of Alexander-Arnold's decision to move to Madrid.
While Bradley's name was sung on Merseyside, Trent was given a chorus of boos by the supporters who certainly aren't keen to see im on the team sheet next time out.
Speaking of which, who else perhaps doesn't deserve a place in the team next time out? Well, it was Curtis Jones may well have proven he's not quite read to be a regular yet.
Why Liverpool should drop Curtis Jones
Slot decided to give Alexis Mac Allister a rest from the start against the Gunners, which opened the door for the England international to play in midfield with Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones celebrates
Jones, an academy graduate, was even worse than Bradley, though, as he put in a distinctly average display. The midfielder had four fewer touches (41) than goalkeeper Alisson, created one chance, only won two duels, and was dribbled past once, which earned him a player rating of 5/10 from GOAL - lower than the right-back's score of 6/10.
Slot must, therefore, drop him from the starting line-up next time out in order to bring his Argentine maestro back into the fold against his former team, Brighton, next time out.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister
With Gravenberch as the number six, Jones has to compete with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai for a place in the middle of the park and does not offer enough quality defensively or offensively to be a regular starter for the Reds.
24/25 Premier League Jones Mac Allister Szoboszlai
Appearances 31 35 34
Goals 3 5 5
Big chances created 2 6 12
Assists 3 5 6
Tackles + interceptions per game 1.4 3.3 1.3
Duels won per game 2.8 4.9 2.8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Jones does not provide the goalscoring or creative quality that the Hungarian star, who brilliantly assisted Diaz's goal against Arsenal, offers in midfield.
He also does not offer the same level of defensive quality or tenacity as Mac Allister, who wins far more duels, tackles, and interceptions per game in the Premier League.
This is why Jones should not be a starter moving forward, unless he improves to become a consistent performer at one end of the pitch or the other, because Liverpool's other midfielders, simply, offer more to the team at this moment in time.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz Related
The end for Diaz: FSG plan bid for £42m star who wants to join Liverpool
Liverpool are planning a move for a star who could be the end of Luis Diaz.