Curtis Jones' reason for hogging the ball at Liverpool simply isn't standing up anymore - opinion
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Curtis Jones looked to the referee, arms spread, begging for the whistle to arrive.As Ibrahim Sangare sped away before laying on a brilliant pass for Callum Hudson-Odoi to test Alisson Becker, it did not come.Liverpool‘s game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday was less than three minutes old, and Jones had already lost the ball for a second time. “He needs to be a lot quicker and a lot sharper and that’s always been his biggest problem.”As per WhoScored, Jones went on to make three errors leading to a shot on goal for Forest, a number which, according to the football data collectors, is a Premier League season high.
Not by a long way.The 25-year-old was even asked why he likes to wait before releasing a pass by LFCTV after December’s Anfield win over Brighton.Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Arne Slot is heading into three weeks and six games which could determine his Liverpool future“I’ve obviously heard that there’s criticism at times that I don’t move the ball quick enough and that’s just because I’m comfortable on the ball,” Jones said. “I don’t want to be in a rush and then I give a lad a ball who’s not as comfortable as me on the ball and then he’s in a little bit of a challenge and gets the blame.“I’d rather just take it on me and know that a lad who comes to press me is going to have to do an awful lot to take the ball off me.”On Sunday, it felt that Sangare, Anderson, and the rest of the Forest players did not have to do much at all to take the ball from Jones.
HYPOTHETICAL: Liverpool can only have one local lad in the squad next season… Who are you choosing and why? 👀 Two very different Scousers 👇Photo by George Wood/Getty Images Jones must learn when to release the ballThere are games and certain moments when Jones’ ability to keep the ball really plays into Liverpool’s hands.He can be exceptionally good at retaining and recycling play, and as a result he is often well-suited to games against some of the Premier League’s bigger sides.However, when playing away at a struggling team who you know are going to get in your face, it is not the time to put your foot on the ball and try to slow things down. Not within the opening minutes.Jones put Liverpool under pressure so many times during the opening quarter against Forest, and the Reds could easily have been punished for his sloppiness.He may see himself as one of the most press-resistant midfielders in the Premier League, but that is no longer being illustrated in the numbers.