18 Feb 2022 15:01:39
What are everyone's thoughts on Jones?

He hasn't been in the squad for the last couple of games and as far as I'm aware he's not injured.

I'm a huge fan of his and would put him ahead of Ox and Keita but could it be that Klopp doesn't fancy him that much? I know not long ago he was singing Jones' praises but that's kind of his job to back up his players.

If he's not even making the bench (even a much bigger CL bench) at the moment then could this be a suggestion that Jones isn't in our plans.

Seems to be a similar situation to Gomez, I'm a big fan of both but it seems Klopp is making it fairly obvious who he actually fancies now that he has a full squad to pick from.

{Ed0666's Note - We have 8 or 9 midfielders to choose from and until we purge in the summer it’s gonna be difficult for anyone apart from Harvey, Fab, Thiago and Hendo to get regular game time. I’m pretty sure jones hasn’t gone from hero to zero overnight. I’m sure next season we’ll see him establish himself.

1.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 15:55:22
Klopp put Keita on the bench instead of Jones i guess. That would be a worry for Jones. I know people think Keita should be sold (me included) but Klopp clearly wants to work for him. Its not a given that Jones will get plenty of game time next season if Keita stays and remains fit. Big if to both tho.

2.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 15:55:49
Jones is great, no concerns about him at all. Think Klopp is managing egos etc at the moment and also has to think about squad harmony. Easier to leave Jones out of a squad than one of our more established players. He will be very much in and around the side after our summer refresh im sure.

3.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 16:22:15
I watched Jones live against Leicester and he had good moments and then moments where the intention was there but for some reason he took an extra touch and lost the ball. He was obviously subbed off and hasn’t played since.

With young players though it’s easy to take them out of the firing line and similar happened last season when if memory serves me right Jones gave it away against I think WBA and we conceded and he was left out for some time.

I like Jones and it would be nice to see him have a future here but despite the fans backing he gets only Klopp will decide that.

Look at Phillips. If it was up to some fans he would be starting ahead of Vvd but despite having a decent spell last season he’s now on loan in the championship.

There’s a lot of talk about is refreshing the midfield and if that happens then Jones could find himself further down the pecking order along with the likes of Naby and Ox. I expected this to be Milners last season but he’s being offered a new contract and would there be any takers for Ox and Naby in the summer if Klopp even wants them moved on.

I’m a big Thiago fan but I can definitely see the reasoning behind him potentially moving in the summer but again would any of the teams that could afford him even be interested?

It’s fairly obvious Hendo, Fab and Elliot aren’t going anywhere but for us to freshen up the midfield some are going to have to go.

Personally I think Jones is a good player (you have to be to play in this Klopp team) but I don’t quite see what other fans rave about him just yet as this future world beater. I know he is still young but Elliot is younger and for me he has leap frogged Jones in the midfield position despite only playing there for 7 months of which 5 he has been injured.

4.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 16:24:06
He also needs to put Keita in the shop window. No-one's going to offer a slightly good price for Keita if they look and see that Klopp doesn't rate him. If Klopp doesn't, why would they?

5.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 16:35:26
No manager plays a player in an important CL game to put them in the "shop window" also taken into account that Keita spent most of the time on the bench. that's just a nonsense statement imo.

6.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 17:01:09
Curtis Jones has everything to be great player for years to Just needs to move the ball on faster. Am not sure if he just tries to do to much but am sure he will learn as he gets more experience.
Jones has just turned 21 if you compare him to Foden who is the year age above don’t think his that far behind in starts at the same age and he is playing in a position that is harder to play.
All so to compare Jones to Naby is very silly Jones has just turned 21 and Naby 27 if you look where Jones is compared to Naby Jones his playing in the hardest league and champions league and Naby was playing in the Austrian league. Curtis Jones needs time to develop without added pressure.

{Ed025's Note - the jury is still out for me on curtis grino, seems a bit slow to me but hes only young and has to improve mate..

7.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 17:04:13
Started with Fabinho, Thiago and Harvey. Had Henderson, Naby, Milner and Ox on the bench. No need for an 8th midfielder to be in the squad. A full 90 minutes with the u23's if they were playing would be better for him than kicking about the bench in Milan.

8.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 17:13:00
I think jones has makings of a great player but he has to be braver with ball in last third. Takes an extra touch or turns back and plays safe too often. Stalls our attack an awful lot. strange 1 as he seems so confident on ball in his own half or midfield. If he can iron that out definitely important place in squad for him.

9.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 17:06:57
Ed001 keep seeing fans on here Hoping we sign Jude Bellingham wondering what you think of him am not sure just because of the hyped up players that have come over from Germany Naby Sancho Werner Havertz none have really pulled up any trees.

{Ed001's Note - I would love us to sign him, he is a completely different level from those others you have listed. He is going to be a special player if he gets the right guidance and coaching.}

10.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 17:56:00
Cheers Ed I will believe in your opinion on him as I have not watched him since he played for Birmingham apart from the odd England game what I take no notice of while am watching to pass time.

{Ed001's Note - I don't watch international footie, but I have managed to see a few Dortmund games and he is head and shoulders above the rest of their team, even on those rare occasions Haaland has been fit.}

11.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 18:58:34
With ED25 on this one :) . Curtis is young and has some very good attributes and probably has a lot of potential to grow. But there are some issues which haven't improved in the last few seasons. One thing I feel he doesn't pass at the right time. He just wouldn't let it go.

12.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 19:16:32
Ed1.on the subject of Bellingham, I've only seen bits and pieces of him, as a midfielder what is he like? My opinion would be we need a physical type of midfielder like a bissiumo r a younger version of hendo, is Bellingham physical type? He scores decent amount of goals anyway.

{Ed001's Note - he has hustle and bustle, but he is more the kind of midfielder we all wanted Keita to be. Creative and skilful, but he doesn't bottle out of challenges and breaks sweat working back.}

13.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 19:26:19
Cheers.

14.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 19:30:37
Hes completely opposite to what Klopp wants from he's midfielders so I'm abit curious when it comes to Bellingham tho.

15.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 20:11:34
Jones is doing the job asked of him. He's not always showing his ability but for me he's doing as well as Gini did in 3 years for the club. I personally think 1 half of game clouded peoples opinion on him and he gets romanticised to much. Jones is a young lad trying his best. He's not as exciting as Elliot who I think he gets unfairly compared to but he's definitely got ability. I also think the goal he scored past Everton is making people think he should be doing it every week. Once upon a time we were all excited when young scousers got into the team but this lad seems to have a dislike brigade already.

16.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 20:13:25
Interesting hearing people discuss Jones. For me he has great potential, good build, holds the ball well, strikes a ball well can get around the pitch. I think he plays too much within himself and has a tendency to hold onto the ball for too low. I suspect it is maybe a confidence thing as he doesn’t want to mess up, but has had some good performances this season, I thought in the league against arsenal he was really good and really helped bring us up the pitch. Plus bonus points for being scouse, give him time I think.
I did post about him the other week actually, and I would like to see him moulded into long term hendo replacement l, I think he could become a good gini type player, who works hard and retains the ball well.

17.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 21:26:13
In pre-season I think the manager said that Curtis had reached a certain level but needed to kick on. I think he mentioned something like the next challenge (might have slightly different words but I’m in my 60’s so I’m lucky to remember anything from last July / August) .

I think Curtis has been unlucky - C.V., niggling injuries and stuff) and whilst he has shown glimpses which suggest he can be a good ‘un there is an increasing minor worry that he isn’t quite kicking on at the rate wanted / expected.

Of course I’m not a football tactician so I might have it wrong (I hope so), but I’m starting to see Curtis heading along the same path as Joe Gomez - bags and bags of potential but not showing enough progress to just quite satisfy the manager that he is / will be a regular starter.

18.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 21:35:05
Jones is average and would be available for a sale in the summer. People don’t want to accept it coz they like him. Reminds me the days of Scouse Cafu Flanagan. Now doing taxis in Scotland.

{Ed0666's Note - Jones’ ceiling is a lot higher than Flannagan’s anyone can see that mate. The kid is 21 or thereabouts do you really expect him to tear it up week in week out? How many 21 year olds are in the Liverpool starting 11? TAA was, Harvey will be but they are exceptions rather than the norm. Do you really expect Jones to play ahead of Hendo, Fab & Thiago who all are at least 7 years older than him so have a higher footballing IQ. You may be right he may not make it at Liverpool but he gives 100% which is the most important thing. As for Flanagan another that gave 100% and if he’s driving taxis now good luck to him he can look back on his career with some serious pride. He played with Suarez and Gerard in their prime, that’s better than fiddling with your joystick playing FIFA on your Xbox like you. I’m truly convinced the midwife dropped you on your head when you popped out Harry. There’s no other explanation. By the way there’s a clamour from posters and Ed’s for you to do another podcast. if you like the thought of gracing is with your profound footballing wisdom let us know we’ll make it happen!

19.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 22:07:42
I think it's also important to note that Jones was out for 2-3 months with a bad eye inuury, so it's natural he may need time to get back into rhythm ect.

20.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 22:26:21
Harry just doesn't rate Jones because he's not Croatian.

21.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 22:38:27
@Doctor strange - really good point mate - sounded really scary and must have rattled the young lady’s confidence.

22.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 22:49:38
Nearly sure Flanagan is playing 2nd tier football in Denmark

23.) 18 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 23:29:20
A year on loan playing week in week out is what Curtis needs right now. Good player with potential and its up to him how far he goes. Plenty of talented 30 year old knocking about the football pyramid thinking "if only I'd worked harder" or "what if".

24.) 19 Feb 2022
18 Feb 2022 23:45:05
I used to wait on tables at a golf club. Flanagan was our customer one day. Very nice and humble guy. Very generous too. I know he's had his off-field issues but I hope he can put it all behind him and wish him the best for the future.

25.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 01:24:13
in - carvalho
out - jones and gomez

simple.

26.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 08:24:14
Auros no way I’d sell Jones. I’d only sell Gomez if Villa want to pay 30/ 40 million for him to help us rebuild the squad.

People really need to have a bit more patience with him, his close control is excellent and so is his work rate. Just needs a bit more confidence and to play a bit quicker (reminds me a bit of Lallana in that sense) . Give him another year or 2 and if he hasn’t progressed then it’s a conversation to have but don’t judge him while he is competing against a world class Thiago for a place in the team.

27.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 08:25:39
Harry would be better giving an opinion rather than stating his idea of "facts"

28.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 06:09:57
I don't expect Jones to tear it up week in wee out but I'm struggling to think of any game he took by the scruff of the neck and dominated in.

29.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 06:31:52
@aorus Or even better bring Carvalho in and keep Jones and Gomez assuming hey want to stay, then we will have three young players with bags of potential - even simpler.

30.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 09:30:46
@johnzandt I think Porto away and there have been games in the cups where he has been playing in a mix and match team with other youngsters and looked steady and controlled, but I agree I think the issue currently is he is playing a bit too passively compared to when he first came into the team.

another thing to remember is the need for hometown players but also club trained players in Europe and Jones and shown enough at the age of 21 that he can be at the minimum a steady member of the squad (plays multiple positions too) and if he progresses a very big asset for the team.

31.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 09:37:23
Spot on with your last point, Ed666. To me, I think we put way too much pressure on our kids to perform immediately and when they don’t, the knives come out and the “something is not quite right with x player” aka Gary Neville schstick comes out. So cos Klopp made a choice to put Naby in the group instead of Jones is now a prob? Coaches make choices in team selection to fit their pregame preparation and tactics but only here do I see people trying to make 2 and 2 equal 4 out of the most basic of football management.

Jones is a very good young player and it is rough for a young player to play ahead of experienced legends like Thiago and Hendo so he has to wait his turn at times as gales are at a premium. That is how it works or should work when you play for a big club with world class players in your position. This notion of always trying to ride our very own youngsters out of town cos they are not doing it fast enuff is insane, IMO.

32.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 09:39:43
Porto away this season Jones was best player on the pitch absolutely brilliant display.

33.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 10:24:19
Somehow or other I usually feel I wanted to see more from Jones after a game.
I’m not too sure what that “more” is, the tag of local boy means some unbelievable past (and current) players to live up to so I suppose it’s a more regular suggestion that he could join those ranks.
He’s given glimpses that he can, which makes the promise all the more frustrating I guess.
Still a third of the season to go though, let’s hope for more from him.

34.) 19 Feb 2022
19 Feb 2022 10:40:11
He is graceful yet tenacious and I bloody love the guy he would walk into most teams atm and is anything but the finished article. I hope he has a long successful career with us, if not elsewhere. Carvalho Bellingham Elliot Jones now that is some hell of a crop of youngsters if we can achieve it.