Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders sent a clear message to England boss Gareth Southgate : Get Curtis Jones in your squad.
The Dutch coach heaped more praise on the midfielder who has been in superb form this season for the high-flying Reds. Jones, who turns 23 this month, has become a key component of Jurgen Klopp ’s rebuild at Anfield.
The local lad has endured highs and lows since his debut for his club in 2019. But he – like Liverpool in hindsight – was on the way back at the end of last season when started the final 11 games and the Merseysiders were unbeaten in that run.
Now he’s helping lead the charge on four fronts this term and, ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Fulham, Lijnders insists he has to be in contention for Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
“It is a no brainer,” said the Reds assistant manager. “You have eyes, no? If you are top of the league and one of the most decisive players in the team, the player who with and without the ball sets the tone and takes the initiative and always shows up, then.”
Jones has yet to make a senior appearance for his country but did help England U21s win the Euros last summer. He gave Liverpool an injury scare when he came off late in the win over Bournemouth at the weekend but that was a further positive sign, according to Lijnders.
“With playing a lot of games you get some small niggles as well and you saw in the last game that while he is still young he acts like a senior,” said the coach. “He takes himself out as a precaution but he is fine and that is really cool.”
Liverpool will be without Mo Salah against Fulham as he recovers from a hamstring injury to try to get back to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. Lijnders believes the Reds are more ‘unpredictable’ without their star man but he also puts their fine season so far down to the perfect blend of experience and youth.
Klopp’s squad has the likes of Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Wataru Endo and Alisson playing regularly in their 30s. Then there’s the likes of Jones, Harvey Elliott and Conor Bradley coming through with all the class in between in their mid 20s.
“I think – and it works well with the ownership – that because the squad is not as big it creates space for the young ones,” said Lijnders. “It makes a big difference. Senior pros act differently when there are young players – the [James] Milners, Mo Salah.
“If everyone is 26 and 27 and fighting for the same spot, I tell you that is not a healthy squad. “When you have seniors who are responsible for the young ones, and young ones who are happier not to play because they know the 25-year-old will, one of the strengths – and it is a strength of ours – is the togetherness with everyone feeling involved.
“We have a core group of players and the young ones always have a chance to show their strength.”
