Jamie Carragher says Curtis Jones' role in Liverpool's midfield is Gini Wijnaldum-esque
Jamie Carragher has lavished praise on Curtis Jones for his performances this season, comparing his role in the current Liverpool side to what Gini Wijnaldum was tasked with doing at Anfield.
While admitting that Jones' role isn't particularly eye-catching, Carragher quipped that the Englishman's main job is to keep things ticking in the centre of the park. In an exclusive interview with the Liverpool Echo, he said:
“Curtis has done really well. The best way to describe the role he is playing is that it's a bit Wijnaldum-esque. It is not eye-catching, but I think everyone appreciates the job he is doing. The big turnaround that has happened with him is that he is moving the ball on much quicker and is just playing two-touch. That’s all he needs to do, keep moving the ball on with speed.
"He presses really well, he’s got great energy and is good at winning the ball back - and that is a bit Wijnaldum-like. Wijnaldum didn’t get lots of goals or create lots of goals, but you have got players in midfield already to do that. That’s Szoboszlai’s role.
Carragher believes the fact that Jones is starting most games despite Jurgen Klopp splashing the cash on four new midfielders this summer is enough evidence that he plays a valuable role for the team. He added:
"The role Curtis is playing is not being missed by people who understand the game and watch what he does. He is playing most games for Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp as the manager. Klopp has spent a lot of money on midfield players and he is still playing Curtis Jones every game, which shows how well he is doing."
Jones has featured seven times in all competitions this season and has firmly established himself as a key player for Liverpool. The young Scouser, however, will miss the next three domestic games owing to his straight red card in the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.