Steven Gerrard gave me dressing down behind the scenes at Liverpool - he showed his true colours
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Curtis Jones was once given a stern talking-to by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, and it's something he's pin-pointed as a major turning point in his careerCurtis Jones has quite often been ovelooked for Liverpool. An academy graduate, 24-year-old Jones is competing with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Domink Szoboszlai for a place in the team.Of course, Szoboszlai has been in sparkling form this season, earning plaudits from fans across the world in light of his consistent outings in the red jersey.READ MORE: When I return to Liverpool I want to be first choice - and win the Champions LeagueREAD MORE: Alexander Isak Liverpool injury timeline confirmed as Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo updates givenTherefore, it's even more impressive that Scouser Jones has managed to thrive in such a competitive environment.
Jones was 24 years and 317 days, with Gerrard at 23 years and 121 days.Speaking to LFCTV after the game, Jones took the opportunity to highlight a moment in his younger years where Gerrard himself stepped in to steer the midfielder's career in the right direction."Steven Gerrard has obviously been a huge part of my career and life," began Jones, speaking of his time under Gerrard in the youth set-up."I say life because he was probably the first man to really have a pop at me at the academy, and just changed me to think: ‘Yeah, I’m not better than anybody else.’"It was a reality check in terms of the way I played and the role that he gave me. Steven would be the first to say that once I overcame a thing where I complicate things and thought I was the man because I had a [number] 10 on my back and things like that, I’d be the first man he’d pick on his team."He continued: "That came with him.
A year after I’m around the first team and I’m stood here now on 200 games, so he’s obviously a man that I’d like to thank as well."Jones has been in and out of Slot's team during the Dutchman's time in the hot seat and despite making his debut six years ago, Jones has failed to become an out-and-out starter as of yet. However, as Liverpool began to hit a run of form in December, Jones showed exactly why he deserves a regular place in the team.Slotting into a diamond midfield against Inter Milan in Europe, Jones played alongside all of his competitors in the middle of the park.