While Liverpool have struggled to create chances for their forwards of late, Curtis Jones has stood out as a midfielder capable of finding gaps in opposition defences.
While Liverpool are unbeaten in nine, they have failed to win over fans with their style of play, which has often relied on moments of magic to get on the scoresheet.
The Reds have been struggling to break teams down and against Fulham, FotMob tells us they failed to produce a shot on target other than their two goals.
Previously, against Leeds, they managed a post-shot expected goals (PSxG) figure of just 0.77.
Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage saw them create 1.37 xG, with just two of their 10 shots fired on target (the two they scored from).
They created three big chances, according to FotMob, and that was largely thanks to Curtis Jones and Florian Wirtz.
While the latter netted and produced the highest expected assists (xA) figure of 0.46, it was arguably Jones who impressed most.
The 24-year-old, playing in a more advanced position on the left than in recent weeks, created more chances (3) than anyone else and played nine passes into the final third – only Alexis Mac Allister, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk managed more.
While the bar wasn’t set particularly high, Jones also managed the second-highest xA figure of 0.29, and should have had an assist when he played an excellent ball in behind for Cody Gakpo who failed to hit the target with his finish.
In addition, he did his usual job of keeping possession well, completing 92 percent of his 59 passes, the highest percentage of any Liverpool outfielder on the day.
After the match, Jones was asked by Liverpoolfc.com if his role had changed slightly for the game at Fulham. He replied: “Yes, 100 percent.
“I’ve been playing as a No. 8, now I played more as a winger or No.10. At the end of the day, I just want to go and play and want to help the team.
I’ve been used as a full-back, used off the right, I’ve been used as a No. 10, a No. 8, a No. 6, a No. 9. As long as I’m there and I can help the team, that’s what I’ll try to do.
“As I always say, if I look left and right in the changing room, I always see the talent around, so a lad who is going to come in and play No. 8, he’s never going to be a downgrade.
“I’d never say he’s better than me, but he will always have a quality but in a different way for what the team needs.
“We made a change, we tried to bring all the lads in [who were] available and it just wasn’t quite enough, but we go again.”
Jones has now started seven matches in a row, his longest run of games under Arne Slot, and he is quickly becoming pivotal to the Reds thanks to his ball-retention skills.
In the past, he may have been criticised for not being decisive enough with his passing. Well, he is beginning to truly prove those doubters wrong.
