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In fairness to Curtis Jones, the bar had been set quite high.
He would always need something special to see 2020 with the same style with which he started it.
A year ago, next week, the 19-year-old burst into Liverpool folklore with an impressive winner in the Merseyside derby.
Fairy tale stuff for a boy from Toxteth – a first goal for his childhood club, a big step forward for a precocious talent. Since then, its star has risen almost uninterruptedly. More goals and praise followed.
On Wednesday night, in its 18th appearance in this campaign, the sun set in its breakout year with far fewer fireworks.
Against Newcastle, Jones had a more low-key evening.
By the time he was hooked at 68 minutes, he had lost only a few of his 38 passes; A sliding challenge earned a shout of gratitude from Captain Jordan Henderson.
But there were few previous opportunities to show the confidence and color that has defined her development.
“I still wouldn’t say I’m an established first-team player,” the 19-year-old admitted before the game.
Hard, perhaps, but Jones will know that the road is still long. Especially when one of his biggest obstacles returned to the field at St James’ Park.
Jurgen Klopp had suggested that this trip would come too soon for Thiago Alcantara after two months out with a knee problem.
The Spanish midfielder has managed just 134 minutes since signing from Bayern Munich; At its best, there are few better players in world football. And few better teachers Jones can learn from.
But Thiago had not played since that painful draw against Everton. His absence has opened the door for Jones to show off and it was in the first derby of the year, of course, that the teenager made his mark for the first time.
The midfielder has been at Liverpool since the Under 9 category; By January, everyone at Anfield knew his potential. A shame for Everton, then, that the message had not spread through Stanley Park.
By now, he has inherited jersey number 17, which was once worn by another useful Scouse midfielder during his early days. But as Liverpool seek back-to-back titles, it will take more than excitement and comparisons to Steven Gerrard to keep him on the team.
With Thiago and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now back in the box, opportunities will not come so easily for this special talent.
It promises to be another defining 12 months.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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