Curtis Jones embodies Steven Gerrard as Liverpool pass toughest test under Arne Slot
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When Arne Slot mentioned that Chelsea might be contenders for the championship, it raised the issue of whether they could compete with Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. It quickly became clear that they were unable to match the standards set by these teams.
At least not Curtis Jones. In games that can define the fate of two clubs, sometimes it’s not the standout performer who brings home the victory, but in this case, it was. Jones’ remarkable energy and skill propelled Liverpool back to the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Chelsea has stumbled in their two biggest challenges of the season so far, having already lost to Manchester City. With Liverpool now seven points ahead, they have successfully navigated their toughest challenge.
They did this thanks to two contrasting criticisms of Chelsea’s transfer dealings. There are many points that can be raised against Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, but it's worth noting that it was an earlier Chelsea management that allowed Mohamed Salah to depart. With a goal and an assist, he provided them with even more reasons to regret their earlier decision. If Jones fits the profile of the type of player that the current Chelsea would likely sell, Liverpool doesn't have to let go of their homegrown talents merely for financial gain. Jones joined Liverpool at the age of nine, and at 23, he had one of his best performances in a Liverpool shirt.
Chelsea’s positive beginning under Enzo Maresca has led to less talk about their financial outlays, although the team features central midfielders worth around £280 million in total. Among them, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo received substantial offers from Liverpool in 2023. The Ecuadorian midfielder, in particular, showcased his skills by setting up a goal with an impressive, game-changing pass.
The game centered around Jones, who displayed a captivating presence and decisiveness reminiscent of another Liverpool midfielder, Steven Gerrard. He appeared in his own penalty area to make a crucial block against Cole Palmer and also earned two penalties for Chelsea—one successfully converted by Salah, while the other was rescinded by referee John Brooks. Jones exemplified the perfect midfield run from deep, sneaking in unnoticed to score the winning goal. Since his debut, he has consistently demonstrated the character needed to shine on significant occasions. This match marked only his third start under Slot, and while winning at Old Trafford is impressive, it might be the Dutchman’s most significant victory yet.
It still seemed reminiscent of the era under Jurgen Klopp. The match concluded in a whirlwind, highlighted by Andy Robertson’s crucial block against Malo Gusto in the 97th minute, indicating it lacked the composure that Slot usually prefers. The atmosphere felt chaotic, with players darting around and bodies sometimes sprawled on the field. There were echoes of last winter, during which Jones was playing at his peak in a Liverpool shirt, and Klopp's squad managed to pull off impressive victories thanks to the contributions from substitute players. After Diogo Jota left the game, Slot found himself with only seven of his regular starters on the field. Liverpool showcased their impressive depth in the squad.
This was especially clear in the midfield, where they appeared to be missing a key player. Ryan Gravenberch stepped up after Liverpool's unsuccessful attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi over the summer. With Alexis Mac Allister sidelined for most of the match due to an injury, illness, and international commitments in South America, it was Jones who shone on the field. Slot highlighted his defensive efforts by saying, "It's nearly impossible to contain a player like Cole Palmer for a full 90 minutes, but Curtis came pretty close." He added that Jones made a significant impact in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game.
Liverpool opened the scoring with their very first attempt, as Salah confidently converted a penalty kick after being fouled by Levi Colwill. He appeared to have another chance when he was harshly brought down by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Although Sanchez did make contact with the ball, it still felt like a bit of a lucky escape for Liverpool when the referee changed his mind and cancelled the penalty. They might also feel disappointed after a close call when Nicolas Jackson, who was initially flagged offside while chasing Caicedo's pass, ended up having his goal allowed after a review. Just three minutes after Alisson's backup was beaten, Mac Allister's replacement found the back of the net.
Salah sent a cross into the box, and Jones timed his run from midfield just right. Although his initial touch wasn’t great, he managed to get a shot off with his second attempt while Sanchez was slow to react. This marked his first goal since January, following Liverpool losing a scorer. Jota's exit from the game was postponed, but he likely sustained an injury when Tosin Adarabioyo brought him down just six minutes in. It was reminiscent of what happened with Willian Saliba the day before, but Saliba was fortunate to have Colwill nearby for support, which prevented a similar outcome.
This was the first sign of vulnerability from Chelsea. There were more moments, even if their coach seemed pleased with the performance. “We dictated the flow of the match,” Maresca said. “We created opportunities and had control of the ball. We don’t enjoy losing, but if we have to, we prefer it to be this way.” Chelsea's loss marked just their third in 23 league matches, a stat that shows they have the potential to compete. However, while Slot described the match as evenly matched, the outcome suggested that Liverpool are the real competitors, while Chelsea are still trying to prove themselves.
