'Fine the FA': Steven Gerrard makes bold statement after Curtis Jones finally makes England debut
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Liverpool’s players enjoyed a good start to the international break on Thursday evening.
The Reds have 17 players out on duty over the next 10 days or so, with five already getting their first taste of action.
But while Caoimhin Kelleher put in some penalty-saving heroics for Ireland and Ibrahima Konate helped France to keep a clean sheet against Israel, the night belonged to Curtis Jones.
Jones looked good in England training prior to Thursday’s big match away to Greece. However, few had perhaps expected the Liverpool midfielder to start in Athens.
Nevertheless, Lee Carsley trusted Jones to play the full 90 minutes and the Reds No.17 rewarded that faith with a delightful flicked finish to put England 3-0 up.
One man who was not at all surprised by Jones’ moment of quality was his former Liverpool academy coach Steven Gerrard. And having seen his former protégé do his thing, Gerrard posted his reaction online.
Steven Gerrard calls for FA ‘fine’
There are of course parallels to be drawn between Jones and Gerrard in terms of their respective careers.
Both are obviously Scousers and both have come through the youth ranks to earn themselves international status.
But while Jones will do very well to get anywhere near Gerrard’s record of 114 caps for the Three Lions, he is at least now on that journey.
And according to Stevie, it’s more than about time.
READ MORE: Curtis Jones explains why he’s loving playing under Arne Slot
Taking to his Instagram stories after the final whistle on Thursday, Gerrard joked that the FA and England’s coaches should be fined for waiting so long to give Jones his debut.
“What a player. Fine the FA and all the coaches for being so late,” wrote the 44-year-old, alongside several well placed heart emojis.
After Jones made a real statement in England’s midfield on Thursday, there won’t be many arguing with Gerrard on Friday.
Ian Wright delivers Curtis Jones verdict
There’s no doubt about it: Jones is having a moment. After welcoming his first child during the October international break, the 23-year-old has been in terrific form.
His instinctive, flicked finish against Greece put the cherry on what has been a wonderful period for him.
It was not just the goal which caught the eye, though. Speaking as a pundit for ITV at half-time during Thursday’s game, Ian Wright hailed what he’d seen up to that point from Jones.
“I think Curtis Jones, the way he’s just running the game, controlling the game,” Wright praised.
Although playing in a slightly deeper role than usual, Jones still managed to get forward and affect the score sheet. A super night for he and his family and one Jurgen Klopp will no doubt have been watching with pride, too. Well done, Curt!
