Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has opened up about an insightful halftime conversation he had with Arne Slot during the 5-1 victory over West Ham United.
Jones was one of nine players brought into the starting lineup for the Carabao Cup third-round tie at Anfield, where Liverpool initially struggled to find their rhythm.
However, after Diogo Jota equalized following Jarell Quansah’s own goal, the teams went into halftime at 1-1. Following the break, Arne Slot oversaw a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Liverpool.
The second half saw four unanswered goals from the Reds, with Jones playing a pivotal role by assisting Jota for his second of the night with an impressive run and a perfectly timed through ball.
In a post-match interview with LFCTV, Jones mentioned that he had informed the head coach at halftime that Liverpool was struggling with “no space” in midfield.
“At half-time I was saying there’s no space, they set up with a mid block where it was hard for the centre-mids to play and stuff,” Curits Jones said.
“But in the second half it opened up more, I was able to get more space and we were playing through more, and that’s where the goals came from.
“I was playing more as a No. 8 in the first half and in the second half I played more as a No. 10.
“I think that’s kind of gone in the game now, but I was higher up.
“I’m more comfortable around there, I feel more free.
“Then I showed I can play around the box. I had a load of shots which I didn’t score, but eventually it will come.”
On his assist, Jones laughed: “I was nearly nicked on the ball actually, just lucky!
“But yeah, it’s a thing the gaffer and the staff have said about me, when I pick up the ball I’ve got to run more. It’s a strength of mine.
“So that’s what I tried, I picked it up again, slipped in Jota and knew he was going to score, so I already had a smile on my face once it went through his legs.
“I’m just a lad who always wants to play,” Jones later said on Sky Sports.
“It’s been hard, I’ve had an injury and stuff, but now I’m back and I’m playing games with a smile on my face.”
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