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Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland might not have been a historic performance, but it was a historic occasion for several young Reds.
Jurgen Klopp named Liverpool’s youngest team in Champions League history, with an average age of 23 years and six months, and his squad for the day included nine players who were 22 and under and seven were still teenagers. .
Trent Alexander-Arnold captained the Reds for the first time, at 22 years and 63 days, as he took the next steps in his career with Liverpool to become the third youngest captain in club history and the youngest in a league. European competition.
Meanwhile, Leighton Clarkson made his Champions League debut and first appearance with Klopp, having appeared in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup with Neil Critchley last season, while Billy Koumetio came off the bench to make his first appearance. with the Reds.
But despite all the milestones achieved by Liverpool’s youth, the status of a player was reiterated when he took the next steps in his career with the Reds without even kicking a ball.
Curtis Jones was an unused substitute in Denmark as Liverpool’s final group match ended in a stalemate, without even the increased number of five substitutions allowed enough to justify his entry into the game.
Last season, the 19-year-old would have every right to be disappointed by such a decision, and he would certainly be envious to see how some of his youth teammates flocked to his childhood club.
But the absence of the midfielder only highlights his growing status in Liverpool’s ranks this season.
Behind Alexander-Arnold, he has enjoyed the greatest success of any youth player who has graduated from the Reds ranks with Klopp.
Since making his FA Cup debut against Wolves in January 2019, Jones has played 26 games for Liverpool and the total of 13 games this season already marks his best comeback.
He has returned six goals and two assists, and it was his first Champions League goal against Ajax last month that secured first place and the Reds’ move to the knockout stages in the New Year.
The teenager had started four of Liverpool’s last five games before heading to Denmark, completing 90 minutes each time, perhaps explaining why he was allowed a break against Midtjylland.
But nine of his 16 starts with the club have come this season, including three of his Premier League starts and all of his Champions League outings, highlighting his growing importance to Klopp.
In truth, he’s got injuries elsewhere to thank him for the amount of playing time he’s been given, with Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all experiencing forced stints on the sidelines.
But he’s used those opportunities with both hands to establish himself as one of Klopp’s increasingly trusted lieutenants despite his tender years.
Able to fill a number of roles in the Reds’ midfield, his attacking attributes have never been in question.
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But this season Liverpool have seen mature performances beyond the Jones years, and the midfielder has also shown his defensive awareness.
And even when he’s not a starter, Jones has become one of the Reds’ preferred options from the bench.
Against Leeds United on the first day of the season, it was Jones that Klopp turned to ahead of Milner, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi as Liverpool searched for a winner during the final half hour.
Meanwhile, he was featured ahead of Henderson and Milner as Liverpool attempted to regain control of the midfield against Aston Villa.
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With only Wijnaldum presenting more than Jones since the November international break, his absence against Midtjylland came as no surprise.
He is no longer just one of the boys, but a full member of the Liverpool team, and I would expect him to return to the starting eleven when the Reds travel to Fulham this weekend.
While he may not start as consistently when other midfield options return, he will continue to have opportunities that he has already shown he deserves.
If Jones continues to perform, Klopp will find it increasingly difficult to shut out the midfielder as his status on the Reds team continues to grow.
As was the case against Midtjylland, their next absence from Liverpool’s starting XI could be with an eye to the future and bigger fish to fry.
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