Curtis Jones SURGES past former ‘best player’ in Arne Slot’s plans

Liverpool have watched Curtis Jones surge past someone who was their ‘best player’ not long ago. And he’s not done yet.

Curtis Jones certainly caught the eye on Wednesday as he started for Liverpool against West Ham United. The Scouser started in midfield and ended up playing two different positions - centre-midfield and attacking-midfield - as the Reds won 5-1 at Anfield.

Notably, Jones created Liverpool's second. He picked the ball up deep in his own half, surrounded by West Ham players but broke free of them, carrying the ball upfield and sending it wide to Cody Gakpo.

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Jones then got the ball back, drove past some defenders, and slipped a perfectly weighted pass for Diogo Jota to finish. Liverpool's no.17 made it all happen - and it's exactly the kind of midfield play that sees him at his best.

It's also exactly the kind of midfield play that Arne Slot wants to see. He's after midfielders who can carry the ball between the lines and create quick attacks against panicking defences.

Jones is great at that when he's on form, and he highlighted it beautifully at Anfield. Enough so that he's stolen a march on Liverpool's Harvey Elliott.

Curtis Jones vs Harvey Elliott

Dominik Szoboszlai has the no.10 spot locked down at Liverpool - for now, anyway. There are realistically only two players in the squad who rival him - Jones and Elliott.

Elliott certainly started the season as the cover there. He was fantastic towards the end of the previous campaign, with Jurgen Klopp believing he was the 'best player' for periods.

But his injury - a very unfortunate one - sees Jones steal a march on him. There's no question that the latter is now pushing for Szoboszlai's place above anyone else, especially after his influence against West Ham.

Elliott will have some work to do once he's back because right now, it's Jones who holds the higher ranking in Arne Slot's plans.