Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard made the tongue-in-cheek remark in late 2024, and Thomas Tuchel has now inadvertently responded
Thomas Tuchel, England Manager, speaks to the media
Thomas Tuchel has omitted Curtis Jones from his last three England squads(Image: Richard Pelham, Getty Images)
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Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard once playfully suggested that the FA and England's coaching setup deserved punishment. The lighthearted comment was prompted by Curtis Jones' brilliant debut display for the Three Lions in November 2024, with Gerrard arguing English football's governing body had waited far too long in handing the Liverpool star his maiden call-up.
Gerrard's cheeky observation followed Jones' goal against Greece twelve months ago. The midfielder celebrated his first England appearance with a magnificent strike as he cleverly diverted Morgan Gibbs White's delivery behind him to seal a 3-0 triumph.
"What a player," Gerrard shared on his Instagram story following the match. He subsequently added: "Fine the FA and all the coaches for being late."
Nevertheless, twelve months later, Gerrard will be vexed as Tuchel has unwittingly answered the former Rangers boss's demands by excluding Jones from his most recent squad for the World Cup qualifying fixtures against Serbia and Albania, reports the Mirror.
Whilst Jones, 24, boasts six appearances for the Three Lions and was even selected by Tuchel for the German's inaugural squad as England manager, he has been overlooked for the previous three gatherings.
Jones has featured in every match he has been fit for under Arne Slot's leadership this campaign, despite battling various fitness issues.
Whilst the Reds have endured difficulties in the Premier League, most recently suffering a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City, Jones has impressed with a series of assured displays for the defending champions, though this hasn't been sufficient to catch Tuchel's attention.
Gerrard's connection with his fellow Scouser developed whilst he was managing the Anfield outfit's under-18s side. Liverpool's former No. 8 has proved a source of inspiration for Jones, with the current Reds player previously waxing lyrical about his hero.
Curtis Jones of England celebrates scoring his team's third goal against Greece
Curtis Jones scored for England against Greece in November 2024
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He said: "I say it now, still, I feel like Steven was the one who came in and made me really think, 'Look, if I lock all the way in, now I can go to the top.
"I'll never forget the time, we'd been away on pre-season – I don't know what country it was – we came back and he got the whole team in on a one-to-one and he'd been speaking about the things you did well and what you needed to improve."
He added: "I remember when he came in – I don't want to say what he said – it was good but it was not nice. It wasn't nice. It was like the harsh truths. I'll say a little bit: 'I gave you the 10 shirt on your back because I want you to be my main lad in my team and I want to build the team around you, but you didn't show enough'.
"There was a game that he said, this is was what stuck in my head a lot – where I wanted to show him that anything you need from me I'll do it – we'd been beaten by Fulham and he said I'd been tackled and the lad had stood over and said something while I'd been on the floor.
Steven Gerrard talks to Curtis Jones (right) during the Derby County v Liverpool U18 Premier League game at the Derby County Academy on August 11, 2017
Gerrard coached Jones at U18 level for the Reds(Image: Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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"He turned around to me and said, 'What did you do about it? !' I said, 'I can't remember', and he said, 'Well, I'll tell you, you did nothing! . "I sat there and thought, 'you're right'. This is my club, there are people like you who have played your whole life here and even came back to the academy and now you're a coach, you want to give your all to the club. There are people like me, I'm a Scouser myself, I don't understand the situation I'm in. I need to grow up here and need to be a man."
Jones has secured two Premier League trophies with Liverpool but has found it challenging to establish himself within the England setup in 2025. Former England caretaker boss Lee Carsley, who gave Jones his international bow in 2024, was also full of praise for the midfielder's first appearance.
"Curtis Jones is an outstanding player," he told ITV. "He played really well, even without his goal. With his goal it was an excellent performance. People were speaking last night about the inexperience in the squad but these players are playing for their clubs at a really high level."