05 Jul 2023 19:26:53
Congratulations to our very own Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliot on reaching the Euros U21 finals with England.

1.) 05 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 21:36:06
I thought Curtis played really well. A bit Henderson like.

He was always available, used the ball very well, I don’t think he gave it away once, and good under pressure.

Apart from the odd play, he wasn’t particularly creative, but I don’t think that was what he was asked to do. I think England would have been a much easier team to play against without him.

Isreal were set up to play for the draw, so it’s difficult to draw too much from the game, but he he looked like the game was very easy for him.

When Harvey came on I thought he was trying a bit too hard, but he still looked like he had a bit of class about him.

Personally, I’ve not given up on either of them quite yet.

2.) 05 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 21:46:28
Curtis was excellent. Man of the Match .
Well done to him and Harvey on reaching the Final .

3.) 05 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 21:59:54
I feel like his improvement last season is being under-appreciated by some who just want new signings.

He’s on an upward trajectory.

4.) 05 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 22:01:20
Footyfan I couldn’t have put it better myself great post and everything you said is spot on mate.

5.) 05 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 21:59:54
I feel like his improvement last season is being under-appreciated by some who just want new signings.

He’s on an upward trajectory.

{Ed025's Note - he had a few decent games at the back end of last season Ron, but with the 2 new signings in midfield and a possibility of more to come i cant see him figuring much this season mate, i expect him to maybe used in cup games and Europa league matches myself..

6.) 05 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 22:40:22
Hopefully reaching the final will increase his transfer value as I would move him on personally.

7.) 05 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 22:57:04
100% Ron.

8.) 05 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 23:36:05
The season was dead by then. Hopefully he can still be as influential when it matters next season, then Curtis may become the player we all hoped he’d already be.
He looks so much better now he doesn’t dwell on the ball, something we All pointed out was his big weakness, and Klopp identified him getting rid of that exact problem in his game.

9.) 06 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 23:53:43
People who doubt Jones and Elliot keep making the same error in assessing them against a regular starting caliber player in their prime.

It's a really poor way to assess and talk about youth players. Jones and Elliot have been fortunate and unfortunate to have had a lot more responsibility put on to them at this young stage of their career at a massive club due to poor recruiting of the players ahead of them.

but with that opportunity, they haven't exactly stunk out the joint and as Ron said, they have continued an upward trajectory which is all we really want from the youth players in the squad.

The constant assessment of these two as if they need to the prime version of themselves is crazy.

10.) 06 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 23:55:52
They are 22 and 20 respectively and people are writing them off? They’ve hardly even started their careers yet. Both have huge potential evident by the fact they have been in and around the first team of one the best teams in the world recently since their teens. I think some people forget sometimes how uncommon that is. Yeah neither might not be the next Gerrard, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be very starters or squad players that will go the extra mile because they love the club.

11.) 06 Jul 2023
06 Jul 2023 00:41:08
Totally agree Faith and Westwood. ??.

12.) 06 Jul 2023
05 Jul 2023 23:32:06
Ed025, I think if Curtis goes well in pre-season and on the training pitch and does want is required when he gets game time, he might get more games than you think. When you look at the last couple of years and the injuries (including one with his eye that was just a freakish accident) the club - Klopp - has stood by him whilst letting contemporaries like Cain and Clarkson, off the top of my head, move on. I think Klopp rates him. I think Klopp wanted him to change his style of play which has taken longer than expected because of injuries, but I really do think Klopp rates him.

{Ed025's Note - i love to see the youngsters get a chance WDW, i just dont think you pay nigh on £100m for 2 players to come and sit on the bench mate..

13.) 06 Jul 2023
06 Jul 2023 07:35:38
Jones had a good last 8-10 games of the season but the 38 games before that were poor.

But if we are judging players on last seasons form and performances going into the new season then 3 quarters of them don’t start.

Last season means little and every player will be starting pre season with a clean slate and opportunity to impress Klopp.

Jones has just as much chance as getting game time as the other midfielders if he hits the ground running in pre season.

Same applies to everyone.

14.) 06 Jul 2023
06 Jul 2023 08:41:13
25 - Jones and Elliot obviously aren't going to be the regular first choice starters ahead of Mac Allister and Szoboslai. Is anyone making that point?

{Ed025's Note - I’m not saying they are faith. Just that signing these shiny new toys is stifling the youth at all clubs mate. It just seems that is it really worth having an academy when the youngsters don’t get a chance? The clamour for silverware at most clubs means that the dream for these lads will become a nightmare at some point..

15.) 06 Jul 2023
06 Jul 2023 10:52:46
I think you are right Ed25. It’s hard to see Mac Allister or Szoboszlai not being preferred as starters but it seems like Curtis might have turned a corner mentally. The last dozen league games and a good run with the U-21’s won’t have harmed his confidence.

{Ed025's Note - it’s a catch 22 scenario WDW. Even if the lads do really well is the manager going to drop a player who has cost squillions for a kid who may or may not be good enough? It’s a big shout imo and the youngsters are probably praying for an injury for them to get a shot. Or they may have to move down the ladder a bit mate..

16.) 09 Jul 2023
09 Jul 2023 03:38:58
25 - I disagree in the sense that it's unrealistic for Jones and Elliot to be relied upon at a club like Liverpool as regular starters. If it were up to you are you saying that you think Liverpool would be better to have signed midfielders who would be back-ups to Jones/ Elliot?

{Ed025's Note - im not saying that at all faith, im saying that i think they should be given game time where appropriate like in cup and Europa games or whats the point of keeping them and stifling their careers, the thing is that supporters like shiny new toys and have very little patience when it comes integrating youngsters mate, so you might as well scrap the academies..

17.) 09 Jul 2023
09 Jul 2023 11:31:49
25 - I agree in principle but you've lost me with regards to Elliot and Jones. With those 2 Jones will most likely reach 100 appearances for the club this season, ELliot is already over 50.

We know they're not ready to be relied on as the regular starters, but at their age and development, stepping up as a starter when required, leading make-shift cup teams will be their role this season. I don't see how two new shiny toys would stop them from fulfilling the role they were going to have this season anyways.