Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk outlines ‘big challenge’ Curtis Jones will face

Curtis Jones steps up

Harvey Elliott would of course suffer an injury blow vs Leeds United last month.

Before this, Elliott had cemented a regular starting spot in Liverpool’s midfield three and was forming great partnerships with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold down Liverpool’s right flank.

But with Elliott now injured and Thiago dealing with some issues of his own, Jurgen Klopp has looked to another young talent to fill the void in his midfield.

That man is 20-year-old Curtis Jones. Jones featured quite heavily in 2020/21 due to Liverpool’s injury issues and he is once again being handed a chance to shine this term as well.

Virgil van Dijk on challenge Curtis Jones will face

And so far, Jones has done exactly that, netting one goal and one assist in three league ties as well as providing two assists in Liverpool’s Champions League win over FC Porto.

Curtis Jones’ game by numbers vs. Porto:

90 touches
89% pass accuracy
7 duels won
4 shots
4 take-ons
4 long balls attempted
3 chances created
2 fouls won
2 assists

Magical night for the 20-year-old. pic.twitter.com/hupmv6mf8S

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 28, 2021

Now, Virgil van Dijk has been discussing the Liverpool youngster.

And, when doing so, Van Dijk stated that the big challenge Jones will face is being consistent, but that he has done a good job of achieving this so far:

“Unfortunately, Harvey got injured like everyone knows, of course, and was doing so well.

“It was difficult probably for Curtis to see that a little bit because obviously he wanted to play, but saw Harvey doing so well. Now he had to take his chance. 

“At the moment, I think if you look at our midfield, Naby is still doing very well, Oxlade is doing very well, so it’s not easy to be out there. 

“Obviously in the last couple of games he’s shown that he has the quality to be there and is doing well. 

“He’s still young, he’s still learning, he has a great mentality. He has to keep that going. It’s only the start for him and he has to keep showing it.

“The most difficult part of being a football player is being consistent, so that’s going to be a big challenge for him. But so far, so good.”

Quotes via Liverpool’s official website.

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