Injury News: Jurgen Klopp clarifies half-time substitution of Curtis Jones against Norwich precautionary
Speaking in a press conference after the match against Norwich, as quoted by Liverpool Echo, Jurgen Klopp has clarified that English midfielder Curtis Jones is not injured and that his half-time substitution was purely a precautionary measure.
Liverpool took on Norwich in the fifth round of the FA Cup last night and emerged victorious thanks to a Takumi Minamino brace. They now find themselves in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and are still competing in the Premier League and Champions League.
Having played an exhausting 120 minutes against Chelsea on Sunday, and keeping in mind the important clash against West Ham this weekend, Klopp decided to name a highly-changed 11 for the clash against Norwich. Players like Joe Gomez, Minamino and Divock Origi were given opportunities and so was Curtis Jones.
The 21-year-old Liverpool-born midfielder has been suffering from injuries of late, but there is no denying the obvious talent the man possesses. Jones would have been hoping to play the full 90 minutes against Norwich yesterday but had to make way for Harvey Elliott at halftime.
Jones hasn’t seen a lot of playing time recently, so it was worrying why he was hooked off just 45 minutes into this game against the Canaries. Speaking in a press conference about Jones’ premature substitution, Jurgen Klopp said
“Another really top performance was Curtis, who played a really good first half, but we had to take him off as he felt the thigh slightly”
“I don’t think it is a real injury but there was not need to take a risk.”
The English midfielder would be hoping to recover from this minor setback and be involved in the huge clash against David Moyes’ West Ham this weekend. With Thiago Alcantara expected to miss the clash against the Hammers due to injury, Jones would be hoping to play a part in the game.
Ever since his debut, Curtis Jones is considered one of the biggest prospects to come out of our academy in recent times. Primarily a winger during his younger days, Jones has seen himself playing in a midfield three under Klopp- much like Elliott in recent times.
Liverpool are in the quest for an unprecedented quadruple this season, having already won the Carabao Cup and still fighting in 3 other competitions. With the sheer number of matches and a busy schedule ahead of them, Liverpool will need all the players in their squad to step up and play key roles whenever given the opportunity.
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At 21, Jones is still very young in his football career and his potential is frightening. If he can stay fit and keep developing under the tutelage of the German manager, Curtis Jones could be one of the mainstays in Liverpool’s midfield for years to come.
