After being leapfrogged by Manchester City, Liverpool had the chance to return to the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
Chelsea were the opponents in what was a tricky looking fixture for the Reds straight off the back of an international break.And just as they did back in September against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool started sluggishly at Anfield.
Despite Chelsea having the better of the opening half hour, though, the Reds soon got themselves in front, Mohamed Salah blasting home a penalty after Curtis Jones had been brought down.
The Blues then levelled things early into the second-half, Nicolas Jackson beating Liverpool’s offside trap to slot past Caoimhin Kelleher.
But within minutes the Reds had edged ahead once again. Having been involved in the opener, Jones nipped in to poke the ball past Robert Sanchez and into the Chelsea net.
And after notching his first Premier League goal of the season, the Liverpool midfielder earned high praise from Gary Neville.Gary Neville hails Curtis JonesIt has been quite the couple of weeks for Jones. After coming back to fitness for Liverpool, the Scouser looked in line for a potential England debut during the break.
However, Jones was recalled from England duty to witness the birth of his first child.Having become a father for the first time, the Liverpool academy graduate was then thrust in to start against Chelsea in place of the well-travelled Alexis Mac Allister.It was a test for Jones, but one which he came through superbly.
Comfortable in possession and a real threat between the lines, the 23-year-old starred in a slightly out of rhythm Liverpool midfield.His finish to put the Reds ahead for the second time at Anfield was richly deserved and saw Neville sing his praises while on commentary for Sky Sports.
He has been involved in everything, Curtis Jones,” raved the Manchester United legend. “Liverpool’s best player by an absolute mile today.“He’s supposedly playing in that deeper role alongside Gravenberch but he’s got forward whenever he can. It’s a really cute finish.
Curtis Jones makes his caseIt has been a really stop start season for Jones up to his point. Although it was obviously a wonderful moment personally for him, his recall from the England set-up last weekend only added to that feeling.But with Mac Allister’s fitness in question for the Chelsea game, Jones was given his chance on Sunday.
And although there were still one or two rusty moments from Curtis, he more than made his case for a regular starting berth in Liverpool’s midfield.Neville was right, the No.17 was comfortably the Reds best player against Chelsea.
Aside from Salah, he was the only one to really give Enzo Maresca’s team consistent problems.Jones was deserving of his goal, which showcased the slightly more attacking tendencies he has than Gravenberch or even Mac Allister in the deeper-lying role. A great all-round showing from Curtis and one which may well lead to more game time.
