Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has revealed that he was frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities under Jurgen Klopp before scoring an incredible Merseyside derby winner at Anfield in the FA Cup third round.
The 18-year-old Jones was playing only for the fourth time this season for the European and world champions, who are 13 points clear at the summit of the Premier League table with a game in hand.
With plenty of competition for places in the Liverpool starting eleven, local lad Jones has found the lack of regular action tough and admitted that it has been frustrated with chances few and far between.
However, the teenage sensation certainly took his opportunity on Sunday, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 FA Cup third-round victory against the Toffees, beating English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from 20 yards in spectacular fashion with a curling effort.
While speaking to reporters after the Merseyside winner, Jones explained his thoughts while sitting on the bench and not able to help the team despite a tough few months, “I just go out there and try to play my game, I’ve had a bit of a tough time – maybe not tough, but frustrating at times. Being on the bench, I got a bit of a taste and then I’m on the bench again. There’s times where in my head I’m begging to come on.
He finally concluded by stating that he was glad about his performance against Everton, “I just tried to go out there and show what I’m capable of doing. Hopefully, I’ve topped that off with a good performance and, as everyone would say, a great goal.”
