Steven Gerrard believes Curtis Jones is more technically talented than him and deserves his new-found place in the first team under Arne Slot.
Local boy Jones made his 150th appearance for Liverpool in the 3-3 draw against Newcastle on Wednesday. Given how the 23-year-old has been incorporated into Slot's plans thus far, that total number will only continue to rise.
The midfielder has starred in the Reds' last 11 league games, scoring crucial goals against Chelsea and Newcastle. He has also played a key role in the club's perfect Champions League season so far.
With Jones a revelation for the new Dutch boss, Gerrard admitted his breakthrough has been a long time coming and believes Jones has superior skills to the icon who once graced Anfield.
“Curtis is more talented than me in terms of technique, in terms of dribbling ability, in terms of manipulating the ball, precise control,” Gerrard told The Anfield Wrap.
“He felt he was more than ready [to break through]. The academy felt he was ready and the first team probably thought, yes, he's ready to be part of it, but also ready to move in and out.
“Every time Curtis played for me against Everton and Manchester United he was man of the match in every game. That tells me he has what you need to play for Liverpool. He must now stay in this 11. He has to take up the challenge.”
Next on Jones' agenda was a Merseyside derby against the Toffees on Saturday afternoon, before poor weather conditions forced the postponement of the highly anticipated match. Yet, as Gerrard pointed out, these types of matches full of underlying animosity seem to get the best out of the 23-year-old, and will likely continue to do so in the future.
“First of all, I just want to win,” Jones told Liverpool when asked about the derby before it was postponed. “I'm a boy who hates losing, I just want to win every match. In training I want to win. In a small game with friends I want to win.
“But this game is one where you've got friends who are Everton fans, you've got family and all that. It's always seen as a battle for the city. I'm not going to think about it being the last and things like that – it's with them and their fans and their history there. It doesn't really affect me.
“But every time I play a match I always want to win – and especially around this I want to win even more. I would like to come away with three points and a good game.”
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