Curtis Jones made his case to stay at Liverpool with an outstanding performance in the Merseyside derby.
The most notable inclusion in Liverpool’s starting XI against Everton was Jones standing in at right-back, and he did not disappoint. It was a faultless performance from the Scouser, who is always up for this fixture.
Jones has been tipped for a Liverpool exit this summer, and his form this season has done little to dissuade the club from making that decision. But how he played against Everton is evidence of why letting him leave Anfield might not be the right decision.
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Everton v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Curtis Jones showed his value as Liverpool beat Everton
Forced to play in a somewhat unfamiliar position, Jones hardly put a foot wrong all game. His passing was pinpoint and he did as well as you could hope for against the dangerous Iliman Ndiaye.
The Englishman had by far the most touches of anyone on the pitch (117), and made 78 successful passes with an accuracy of 94%. FotMob has him as Player of the Match, and it’s hard to argue against.
Even the winning goal from Virgil van Dijk came from a corner that followed a fantastic burst forward from Jones.
The value in a player who can do a job in multiple positions cannot be understated, especially at a club competing on so many fronts year after year.
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Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones celebrate after Van Dijk scores during Liverpool's Premier League match against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (Credit Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
He hasn’t been a model of consistency this term — no Liverpool player has — but performances like this one make a strong case for keeping him in and around the squad despite the external interest.
And the other key factor is the passion that only a Scouser can provide. Jones was fighting with Abdoulaye Doucoure in last season’s iteration of this fixture, and he showed that fire again in the maiden Hill Dickinson derby.
The temptation to sell the 25-year-old for pure profit will be hard to turn down, but maybe that local element is worth more than the fee we could get for him.
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