“This shows the team they are.” Curtis Jones didn’t hold back after Liverpool’s 2-1 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as he aimed a cheeky jibe at Everton’s ambitions.
A jubilant Curtis Jones couldn’t resist a cheeky swipe at Everton following Liverpool’s pulsating 2-1 derby win, despite growing uncertainty surrounding his Anfield future.
It has been in the air in recent weeks that the Liverpool midfielder could be sold in the summer, amid reported interest in his services from Aston Villa.
He certainly didn’t let any of this transfer speculation hinder his performance against David Moyes’ hosts on Sunday afternoon, as he performed valiantly as a makeshift right-back in the entertaining 2-1 away win.
Handed only his 13th Premier League start of the campaign, the Scouse midfielder put in a commanding performance, completing 78 accurate passes and winning seven brave duels to help his boyhood club overcome their arch-rivals.
It was a display of maturity from Jones, who famously saw red during last season’s heated farewell to Goodison Park, proving he has finally learned to channel his passion in the heat of a derby
James Tarkowski scored a 96th-minute equaliser for the Toffees, with the ex-Burnley defender then proceeding to celebrate in front of the Liverpool away fans.
The atmosphere turned toxic at the full-time whistle as a mass brawl erupted on the turf, leaving referee Michael Oliver with little choice but to brandish his red card. Both Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure were sent for early baths following the ugly confrontation, marring an otherwise entertaining finale at Goodison Park.
Amazingly, this time around, it was Liverpool’s turn to score at the death, courtesy of Virgil Van Dijk emphatically heading home a 100th-minute winner.
Thankfully, the red cards didn’t start to flow again, after Van Dijk wheeled away in celebration, as Jones had the last laugh, as a born and bred Scouser, over his arch rivals, when speaking to the media post-match.
“This shows the team that we are and the team they are” – Jones’ cheeky jibe at Everton
It would be a shame if Liverpool were to sell one of their own this summer, as Jones proved against the Toffees that passion and class combined mean you can perform confidently, without losing your head.
He was perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty when tangling with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall early on, but it’s rare in such a Derby match to have someone who knows first-hand what is at stake, in terms of local pride, with Villa winning themselves a full-blooded battler, if they’re successful with their summer advances.
Until then, Jones will no doubt want to keep battling for his boyhood side, as they now attempt to pull away from the Toffees, in the hunt to finish inside the top five Champions League positions.
Heading into the game, the talk centred on Moyes’ side only being two points behind the Reds if they won, as they attempt to secure a Conference League or Europa League spot in the congested Premier League.
All that talk has been pushed to one side now, though, with Jones not holding back with his true feelings about his team’s fiercest nemesis.
He said, when speaking to Norwegian broadcaster Viaplay Fotball: “I mean, look, this shows the team that we are and the team they are. You know [potentially] celebrating that they’re two points behind us in one of our worst years.
“If that’s what they take as a stepping stone or a step in the right direction, then I don’t know. We don’t think about teams that are catching us, we only look forward and we know that we have to play in the Champions League.”
This light-hearted post-match reflection will only endear the midfield star to the Anfield faithful even further. It is increasingly evident that Jones remains a player who wears his heart on his sleeve, demonstrating a relentless commitment to the cause and an innate understanding of what this rivalry means to the supporters.
After this invaluable win, the reigning Premier League champions are now eight points ahead of Moyes’ men, despite stumbling to ten league defeats this season.
Jones will hope he can continue putting in wholehearted displays for his boyhood club between now and the season finishing, with a Champions League spot very much in reach.
Past this campaign, it remains to be seen where the 25-year-old will call home, but he will always have this memorable win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to look back on.
