The display against Nottingham Forest is just the latest in a string of less-than-exemplary Liverpool performances from Curtis Jones.
Like many of his teammates, Jones has had an up and down season.
He should be given some grace, considering he was shoehorned into the side at the last minute after a minor Florian Wirtz injury.
But it really wasn’t a good game for the Scouser.
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He wasn’t given time to breathe by a dominant Forest midfield, which only amplified an issue that Jamie Carragher already had with his game.
Jamie Carragher says Curtis Jones won’t get one bad habit out of his game
Jones has been in and around the first team for years, but has never truly established himself as a starter.
At times, he’s exactly what Liverpool needs. A dictator from deep and a player comfortable in possession.
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Sometimes, though, his measured approach can border on lethargic, and that’s not something Carragher sees changing.
During Sky Sports’ half-time coverage on Sunday, he explained: “Curtis Jones coming into the starting lineup really late for Florian Wirtz. He’s coming really late, and he’s really struggled. I’ll be surprised if he comes out for the second half if I’m being totally honest.
Curtis Jones pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
“But 16 seconds into the game now, yes, you might say he’s a slow starter, but when Curtis Jones is making mistakes in midfield, it’s very similar to that. So, it’s not a new thing with Curtis Jones. He takes too long on the ball.
“I don’t think he’ll ever get that out of his game. He needs to be a lot quicker and a lot sharper and that’s always been his biggest problem.”
Jones has been linked away from Liverpool in recent months, and if there is to be a midfield casualty in the summer, you’d bank on it being the local Liverpool lad.
Curtis Jones set Premier League season-high against Forest
A season-high might sound like an achievement, but in this case, it proves Carragher’s point emphatically.
According to WhoScored, he made three errors leading to a shot at the City Ground — the highest such tally in the Premier League this season.
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Curtis Jones of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray v Liverpool at the Rams Park
Credit: Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates/Getty Images
It’s not like this was a one-off either. There have been numerous examples of Jones getting caught in possession in recent weeks.
You have to feel for the Englishman. His playing time is not consistent and getting in a rhythm is always hard as a squad player. Still, if his form continues like this, Arne Slot may well run out of patience.
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