The emergence of Curtis Jones has been one of Liverpool's bright spots during a trying post-lockdown period. The nineteen-year old midfielder, a product of the club's youth academy, has acclimated so quickly to the first team that some (lunatics) have suggested manager Jurgen Klopp will have a selection headache when Thiago returns from injury - the details are wrong, but the gist of the idea is correct, and speaks to Jones's recent progress. Some will say that his rise came out of nowhere, though of course his record at youth level always suggested eventual success.
But I did realize just the other day that I missed a subtle but significant clue in a video which I highlighted on TOA just a few months ago (albeit for a different reason). In this clip from the Liverpool FC YouTube channel, Curtis joins the chat ninety and Klopp remarks "Curtis, always with the ball"; the manager actually sounds a little bored with his own observation. I wonder why? I think Curtis Jones showing up with the ball for a Zoom call wasn't an uncommon occurrence, and I bet it speaks to his determination as a player; outside observers have been surprised by his recent performances, but those used to seeing him - always with the ball - likely expected nothing less.
