{"id":1405806,"date":"2025-10-23T16:26:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T15:26:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1405806"},"modified":"2025-10-23T16:26:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T15:26:25","slug":"tactical-analysis-liverpool-midfield-curtis-jones-balance","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-liverpool-midfield-curtis-jones-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool analysis: Why Curtis Jones is the key to unlocking the Reds’ midfield"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Liverpool<\/a> returned to winning ways on Wednesday evening, racking up a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arne Slot made five changes to his starting XI following the loss to Manchester United<\/a>. An injury to Ryan Gravenberch forced his hand there but the Dutch tactician decided to also bring Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Andrew Robertson, Hugo Ekitike and Curtis Jones into the team for the game in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former Feyenoord boss also tweaked the system. Instead of a 4-2-3-1 shape he went with a more pronounced 4-4-2. Ekitike was paired with Alexander Isak in attack while Wirtz was deployed on the right side of midfield when the Reds didn\u2019t have possession. With the ball, the German maestro drifted into more of an attacking midfield role and the right-back was tasked with keeping the width on that flank.<\/p>\n\n\n

Dabble sign-up offer: Bet \u00a310+ & Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Not signed up to Dabble<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim the Bet \u00a310+ & Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b> welcome offer:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  1. Sign up to Dabble through this link<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  2. Register your account with accurate personal details<\/li>\r\n
  3. Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n
  4. Receive your \u00a310 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted<\/li>\r\n
  5. Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

    #AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply.\u00a0GambleAware.org<\/a><\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the first half, it did look as though this team had never played together. They fell behind to an incisive Eintracht Frankfurt breakaway. In truth, it was far too easy for the hosts. But it comes with the territory of playing a new system with players in roles they aren\u2019t particularly used to. The Reds grew into the game though and romped to a comfortable win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ekitike, once again, showed his class with a ruthless breakaway goal of his own. Wirtz finally got off the mark with two assists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But it was the midfield pairing of Dominik Szoboszlai and Jones that really caught the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jones the difference-maker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A lot of the plaudits are going the way of Szoboszlai and it\u2019s easy to understand why. He scored, created the joint-most chances (four) and generally put his stamp on the game. But Jones might\u2019ve been the difference-maker on the night for Liverpool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The 24-year-old is, and always has been since breaking into the first-team, a facilitator. His inclusion always allows others to thrive. Cast your minds back to the 2022-23 campaign and Jones was used as the counterweight in the Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    He kept the ball in the middle third and this allowed Alexander-Arnold to be expressive in that area of the pitch. If you had another progressive player in the three alongside Fabinho and Alexander-Arnold, there would\u2019ve been turnovers galore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Against Eintracht Frankfurt, it was the same sort of idea. With Szoboszlai looking to be aggressive in possession and the plan being to get Wirtz a lot more involved than he has been since the move to Anfield, Slot needed someone to balance things out in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jones was the balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    Curtis Jones completed 122 passes against Eintracht Frankfurt, the most by a Liverpool player in a Champions League game on record.\u00a0

    \u25ce 127 passes attempted
    \u25ce 122 passes completed\u00a0
    \u25c9 96% pass accuracy\u00a0

    He's just one of three midfielders to attempt 125 passes in a     #UCL<\/a> match\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/u0J7JNXOyT<\/a><\/p>— Squawka (@Squawka) October 22, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>