Curtis Jones Credits Steven Gerrard for His Rise to the Liverpool First Team

Curtis Jones, at the age of 22, acknowledges the significant influence of Steven Gerrard in his journey to becoming a key player for Liverpool. With 106 appearances in all competitions, Jones has established himself as a regular midfielder under Jurgen Klopp in 2023.

From Youth Academy to First Team

Jones, a product of Liverpool’s youth academy, had the opportunity to work with Gerrard during his time in the U18 level. In a recent episode of the We Are Liverpool podcast, Jones revealed the impact of Gerrard’s stern words on his development as a player.

According to Jones, Gerrard’s words made him realize that he had the potential to reach the top if he fully committed himself. Jones now wears the No. 17 jersey previously worn by Gerrard.

Memorable Words from Gerrard

During a one-on-one session with the team after a pre-season trip, Gerrard delivered some harsh truths to Jones. He emphasized that Jones had not shown enough despite being given the No. 10 shirt and being considered the main player for the team.

Gerrard also recalled a game where Jones was tackled and insulted by an opponent while on the ground. When Gerrard asked Jones what he did about it, Jones admitted that he did nothing. This confrontation made Jones realize that he needed to grow up and become a man for his club.

Jones’ Progress and Achievements

Since then, Jones has become a local hero for Liverpool. He scored his first-ever goal for the club in a Merseyside derby victory in January 2020. Despite the criticism, Jones acknowledges that Gerrard also provided encouragement and recognized his good performances.

Gerrard himself has praised Jones, claiming that he is more talented than he was in terms of technical ability. He even recommended Klopp to stick with Jones while working with the academy. With numerous medals already won, Jones has the potential to achieve even greater success in his Liverpool career.