Liverpool star who Jurgen Klopp thinks is ‘special’ may have missed crucial opportunity
Liverpool now have strong depth in most areas of the pitch after a summer of heavy spending, and there is stiff competition for places.
Federico Chiesa was omitted from the Champions League squad, with the Italian finding out how strong Liverpool’s squad is the hard way.
Some players may struggle for regular game time under Arne Slot, barring injuries, despite senior stars such as Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez departing.
One player may have had the perfect chance to stake a first-team place in Liverpool’s clash with Burnley, but he will now miss the game.
Arne Slot reveals Curtis Jones injury
Curtis Jones has featured in every game so far this season, but started just one of his three Premier League appearances.
Jones made himself an important squad player, but he is not a guaranteed starter, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Florian Wirtz ahead of him in midfield.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Burnley, Slot revealed that Jones is carrying an injury and will miss the game.
| Expected assists (xA) | 0.02 per 90 |
| Chances created | 0 |
| Big chances missed | 1 |
| Successful dribbles | 2/2 (100%) |
| Passes into the final third | 5 |
| Accurate long balls | 1/3 (33%) |
| Tackles won | 2/4 (50%) |
| Recoveries | 6 |
| Ground duels won | 7/7 (100%) |
“Curtis Jones got injured in the last game, so he will not be available for the game against Burnley, but everyone came back without a problem,” Slot stated.
Jones’ timing could not have been worse, as he will now really struggle to earn back a place in the side by the time he returns.
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Curtis Jones will struggle for game time
With Jeremie Frimpong previously injured, and Wirtz struggling to hit his best form since arriving, Jones had his best chance at starting.
The 24-year-old could have filled in at right-back or in midfield, with Jurgen Klopp calling him “special” after he filled in there two years ago, but he may now find that once he returns from injury, the team is too crowded.
Alexander Isak will now join the squad, while Frimpong is set to return, and Szoboszlai is in outstanding form, and all of this means that Jones may not see a league start any time soon.
The Burnley clash could have been his best chance at making himself undroppable, but he may have to wait a while before he is handed another big opportunity.
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