Before Arne Slot’s starting team was announced against Everton for the Merseyside derby, Liverpool fans would be forgiven for expecting Jarell Quansah to be at right-back.
Slot admitted before the match that Conor Bradley was touch and go for Liverpool after returning from injury, and he ended up not being included in the squad at all.
And without Trent Alexander-Arnold available either, the Liverpool manager made the bold decision to put Curtis Jones at right-back, a position he’s seldom played before.
In fairness, Liverpool lacked creativity against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final when Alexander-Arnold was missing, and having someone like Jones at right-back is much more like for like replacement than Quansah for example, a centre-back playing out wide.
And by all accounts, Slot’s faith in Liverpool’s local lad paid off in the derby.
Liverpool fans make bold Curtis Jones claim after ‘huge’ derby performance
Taking to X towards the end of the match, Liverpool fans seemed collectively blown away by Jones’ efforts out of position.
Following the news that Alexander-Arnold is off to Real Madrid, many Liverpool fans took this moment to poke fun at their right-back’s expense, claiming that Jones was now ahead of him in the pecking order.
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At full-time, one fan simply wrote: “Curtis Jones being better than Trent at right-back lol”
Liverpool journalist James Pearce took a moment himself to praise Jones’ efforts, saying he showed his ‘huge worth’ to Slot.
He wrote: “Curtis Jones again showing his huge worth to Liverpool tonight. Some shift he put in at right-back.
“Completed 68 of his 73 passes (93%), won 3 out of 5 duels, and won possession six times (only Gravenberch managed more).”
And whilst Pearce resisted the urge to reference Alexander-Arnold in his praise, others didn’t.
One fan jovially added: “Hey Trent, Curtis Jones is here. We’re all good.”
Whilst Liverpool’s supporters reveled in the win, it was clear that many are still hurt by Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave, hence why his name is etched in so much of Jones’ praise.
Will Arne Slot continue to use Curtis Jones at right-back?
Until Bradley returns to fitness it’s not unthinkable that Jones could continue in the position – he’s clearly got the defensive intelligence to do so.
Of course, Liverpool are pressing on with their search for a new right-back right now.
And it seems as if Liverpool might explore a move for Kiliann Sildillia, a French right-back who is causing big clubs to take attention in the Bundesliga.
Either way, Liverpool are one step closer to the Premier League title after Jones’ excellent efforts out of position.
A local lad who is clearly still committed to this project long-term.
