On Saturday, Liverpool resumed training as manager Jurgen Klopp tried to get his team in shape for what would likely be another difficult season.
Senior stalwarts such as Darwin Nunez, Fabinho, and Thiago Alcantara returned, and on Tuesday, they will be joined by newcomers Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, as well as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
While the England U21s faced Spain in the European Championship final on Sunday, two young players who made an impact last year were busy.
England’s Curtis Jones began and scored the game-winning goal as the Three Lions prevailed 1-0. As Cole Palmer’s free kick rebounded off him and past the goalkeeper, the Liverpool midfielder was largely unaware of the goal.
Jones and Harvey Elliott, a late-game replacement, both made an impression during the tournament and will be hoping to repeat those performances for Liverpool. How will the season affect them, though? It was written by our writers.
Theodore Squires You would have been concerned for Curtis Jones going into this summer if we were having this conversation a little more than three months ago.
With yet another injury-plagued season under his belt and a long-awaited midfield makeover set for the summer, there were significant questions regarding his future at Liverpool. However, those three months have certainly changed things.
He finally manages to string together a few victories, playing with assurance and improving each game. Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced to play in a central position by the Reds’ new system, but Jones was also essential to the success of that formation.
From that advanced midfield position on the left, he stepped up with significant goals in crucial games, right in the middle of Liverpool’s season-ending 11-game run. He only needs to maintain this form into the upcoming season to continue flourishing for England in a deeper role.
Yes, he will be playing catch-up following his international exploits, but Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai ensure he is likely a backup option if everything goes according to plan once the campaign gets going. But he has now demonstrated what he is capable of doing when given a run of games and the manager’s trust.
He is the ideal candidate to start in front of either of the new arrivals if they need some time to adjust, especially in a formation they are unfamiliar with. After that, it will be up to Jones to perform well enough to keep the jersey, knowing that his adaptability makes him a vital addition to midfield in any system that Klopp chooses.
Elliott’s performance declined as the season went on, but it was to be expected from a kid who had been overused at such a young age. Even if it’s still unclear whether he will end up playing midfield in the long run, he will be stronger for the ups and downs.
There will still be opportunities for him to start, and the Europa League is a terrific venue for the 20-year-old to display his talent. Mohamed Salah might replace Klopp as his primary right-wing deputy as he prepares to go for Africa Cup of Nations duty in January.
Elliott does not yet need to decide on a precise role, but Jones has benefited from securing a position in the middle of the field. There are enough games for him to still have an influence even though he won’t be the first choice in midfield or attack.
Young children are prone to being inconsistent, but Jones has just demonstrated the value of patience to his younger teammates and bystanders.
Both are valuable squad members who are poised for more. That’s enough for now. They will become important Liverpool players if they keep making the proper moves.
Mr. Joe Rimmer It’s safe to conclude that the 2022–23 season marked a significant advancement for Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.
Elliott emphasized his reputation as a regular starter for Liverpool by playing in every game up until the scoreless draw with Chelsea in April. Despite some fluctuations in form, Elliott was still a crucial player for Jurgen Klopp.
Jones, on the other hand, battled his way into Klopp’s consideration later in the season, starting 11 straight matches and putting on the finest performance of his career as Liverpool went undefeated.
But now that two new recruits, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, have joined the team, the challenge for these young players has begun. Their Liverpool careers may be completely on the line, but the heightened competitiveness may also be their making.
They can manage their minutes better, in fact. Jones, who has experienced injury issues, will be free to continue developing without the pressures that last season’s issues brought. Elliott has occasionally been overexposed, while Jones has occasionally been exposed too much.
Additionally, they can contribute in other capacities. Jones has benefited greatly from Liverpool’s shift in formation because it has allowed him to advance up the field without being an overt attacker, and Elliott should see plenty playing time due to his adaptability.
Both teams will undoubtedly have the opportunity to advance further in the Europa League. Although it may not be a make-or-break situation for either player, a strong campaign in 2019 can guarantee they are a significant part of Klopp’s plans going forward.
