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Curtis Jones paid tribute to Steven Gerrard after making his 200th appearance for Liverpool in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Jones played the full 90 as the Reds returned to winning ways at home, and climbed up to sixth place in the table. The 24-year-old played predominantly at the base of midfield, and controlled the pace and flow of the game alongside Ryan Gravenberch, but ended the match at right-back after Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai made way.
It was another impressive showing from a player who was primarily seen as backup to Arne Slot’s midfield options last season. This term, his importance in the side is clear growing, as evidenced by completing the last three games, and starting five of seven since the November international break.
Saturday’s 200th appearance was also a reminder of what a prominent presence he has been for several years, and Jones is the youngest midfielder to reach that landmark since Gerrard in September 2003.
The Liverpool legend played a huge role in Jones’ development during his time as a youth-team coach at Kirkby, and speaking after the game, the boyhood Red paid tribute to Gerrard.
“Steven has obviously been a huge part of my career and life,” Jones told LFCTV.
“I say life because he was probably the first man to really have a pop at me at the academy, and just changed me to think, ‘yeah, I’m not better than anybody else.’
“It was a reality check in terms of the way I played and the role that he gave me.
“Steven would be the first to say that once I overcame a thing where I complicate things and thought I was the man because I had a [number] 10 on my back and things like that, I’d be the first man he’d pick on his team. That came with him.
“I’d always been a kid that was top of the age group and at times I’d become a little bit passive I’d say,” Jones added.
“Steven was the first one to give me a real check. Coming from a man like him, who played the game, who I idolised, I thought, ‘I’ve got to change if it’s him that’s telling me’.
“From there he stuck with me and I stuck with him and we worked. A year after I’m around the first team and I’m stood here now on 200 games, so he’s obviously a man that I’d like to thank as well.”
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