Jamie Carragher praised Curtis Jones’ outstanding man-of-the-match performance in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea, suggesting the club might reconsider pursuing Martin Zubimendi in January. Jones, rewarded with a second consecutive Premier League start, scored what turned out to be the winning goal, showcasing his talents in a strong midfield display.
Liverpool took the lead in the 29th minute when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty, but Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson equalized just after halftime. Jones, however, quickly restored the Reds’ advantage with a brilliant touch and finish, marking his first Premier League goal since New Year’s Day. He was instrumental throughout the match, having also won the foul that led to Salah’s penalty and causing a foul by Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez, which VAR overturned for a second penalty shout.
Carragher commended Jones, stating, “He was brilliant, outstanding. He’s in a position where he hasn’t quite made himself a first-choice yet, but what a performance that was. For a local lad to show such quality amidst the high-caliber players on the pitch is exceptional.”
Despite Liverpool reportedly eyeing Zubimendi after missing out on the Real Sociedad midfielder last summer, Carragher felt that Jones’ display against Chelsea might change their approach. “He’s got to keep playing like that at the highest level. With the number of games Liverpool plays, he will get plenty of opportunities,” he noted.
The Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, echoed Carragher’s sentiments, acknowledging Jones’ crucial role in containing Cole Palmer, who had a subdued performance for Chelsea. Slot stated, “Curtis had a difficult job controlling Cole Palmer, which is not easy, and he executed it well, contributing significantly on both ends of the pitch.”
With Liverpool’s midfield depth bolstered by Jones’ performance, Carragher’s confidence in the young midfielder suggests that the need for additional reinforcements may not be as pressing as previously thought.