Frank Christian
Steven Gerrard, the legendary figure at Liverpool, recently took a lighthearted shot at the Football Association and England’s coaching staff after Curtis Jones excelled in his debut for the national team.
The young midfielder, groomed in Liverpool’s academy, made his first appearance for England and marked the occasion by netting a brilliant goal during a 3-0 victory against Greece.
Gerrard, who has previously mentored Jones in Liverpool’s youth ranks, humorously indicated that the FA and the coaching staff “should be fined” for delaying the recognition of Jones’ abilities.
The 23-year-old showcased his talent by expertly redirecting a cross from Morgan Gibbs-White into the goal, creating a memorable debut.
Now managing Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, Gerrard expressed his thoughts on social media, writing: “What a player. Fine the FA and all the coaches for being late,” cheekily suggesting that Jones’ talent should have been acknowledged earlier.
Comments from England’s interim manager on Jones’ debut
Gerrard was not alone in applauding Jones. England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, praised the Liverpool midfielder for his remarkable display.
In an interview with ITV, Carsley remarked, “Curtis Jones is an outstanding player. He did very well even before scoring, making it an excellent performance overall.”
Jones, meanwhile, acknowledged the support from his teammates that allowed him to excel on the field, noting that Jude Bellingham’s positioning gave him the freedom to advance and take his scoring chance.
“With a team like ours, I can play in various positions,” explained Jones. “Jude held back, and I recognized the opportunity to move forward, which led to my goal.”
Jones’ path to representing the national team highlights Gerrard’s influence on his development. He has previously mentioned that Gerrard’s mentorship significantly motivated him to elevate his game.
Curtis Jones’ debut for the national team was absolutely perfect.
He became the first Liverpool player in 42 years to score on his England debut, delivering an impressive performance against Greece.
His stats from the game:
96% pass accuracy (65/68)
7 duels won… pic.twitter.com/82Gncml2qA— Squawka (@Squawka) November 14, 2024
“Steven made me contemplate, ‘If I truly focus, I can reach the top,’” Jones recalled.
Gerrard’s tough love has played a crucial role in Jones’ progression. The former Liverpool captain shared a significant moment from a preseason assessment where he challenged Jones with honest feedback about his commitment and maturity.
“After one defeat, he asked me, ‘What did you do about it?’” Jones remembered. “It struck me that he was right. I realized I needed to grow up.”
Thanks to Gerrard’s mentorship, Jones has flourished, evolving into a talented player for both Liverpool and the national team.
Fans in England will likely be excited to see more of Jones play, and if Gerrard’s commendations are anything to go by, this is just the beginning for him.
