Liverpool fans have expressed their discontent with manager Arne Slot's decision to start academy graduate Curtis Jones in the lineup for their Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, February 23. This match marks the reverse fixture of the two sides in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign. The first encounter at Anfield ended with Liverpool securing a 2-0 victory under Slot's guidance.
With Arsenal dropping points at home to West Ham, Liverpool had the perfect opportunity to widen their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Despite this, fans were discontent with Curtis Jones' inclusion. Jones has played every Premier League match he was eligible for this season, but he faced heavy criticism following what many deemed lackluster performances, particularly the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. He also missed the previous game against Wolverhampton due to suspension, thanks to receiving a red card.
Starting as the attacking midfielder alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah, Jones' selection drew ire from supporters on X (formerly Twitter). One user expressed frustration, stating, "I think I speak for every Liverpool fan, STOP PLAYING CURTIS JONES!" Another user exclaimed, "Does Curtis Jones start for any other Premier League side?" These sentiments show the growing unrest among Liverpool supporters about Jones’ role on the team.
Manager Arne Slot spoke about the challenges posed by Manchester City. He acknowledged the prowess of Pep Guardiola's squad, stating, "What I always expect from City since Pep is there is a great football team. They’ve had maybe one or two months in the seven or eight years he's been there where they weren't at their best." He also noted the improvements City had made to their squad and the potential challenges facing Liverpool.
Before the match, Slot was clear about the challenges his team would face, remarking, "You have to suffer as well and work really hard to keep them away from your goal because they are so, so good in ball possession. But they face a strong team as well, one who hasn’t lost for 22 games." His comments underline the high stakes of facing off against City.
At the time of the match, Liverpool proudly held the top position in the Premier League with 61 points from 26 matches, indicating their success this season. Despite the strong standings, it remains clear from fan reactions on social media platforms and match commentary, the dissatisfaction with Curtis Jones' selection persists.
Jones' standing as part of the starting XI raises questions about Liverpool's strategic planning moving forward. Fans are left pondering whether Slot will continue to back the young midfielder or heed their calls for change as the race for the Premier League title heats up.
While Liverpool supporters remain hopeful for the outcome of the match, the palpable tension surrounding Curtis Jones’ role signifies more than just tactical disagreements; it captures the broader narrative of expectations from fans who are eager to see their team perform at the highest levels consistently.
Only time will tell if Slot's faith in Jones will result positively for Liverpool, or if the clamoring for change will grow louder as the pressure mounts through the season. One thing is for certain: the passionate fanbase at Liverpool will continue to play their part, voicing concerns and supporting their team.