Latest Liverpool news and gossip as Steven Gerrard sends a message to the FA after Curtis Jones starred for England against Greece
Steven Gerrard has jokingly suggested that the Football Association and England’s coaches should be fined after Curtis Jones‘ standout performance in England’s victory over Greece. The Liverpool legend made this cheeky comment following Jones’ debut goal for the Three Lions against Greece on Thursday night.
The 23-year-old marked his first England cap with a brilliant effort, flicking Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross behind him to secure a 3-0 win in Athens. Jones, who has been in fine form this season under new head coach Arne Slot at Anfield, transferred his success with the Reds to the international stage, reports the Mirror.
Gerrard previously has experience of coaching Jones during his time with the Liverpool Under-18s before he left to manage Glasgow Rangers in 2018. The Reds legend, who is now manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, jokingly criticised the England set-up for taking so long to recognise Jones’ talents.
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“What a player,” Gerrard posted on his Instagram story. “Fine the FA and all the coaches for being late.”
England interim manager Lee Carsley also praised Jones’ performance. “Curtis Jones is an outstanding player,” Carsley told ITV.
“He played really well, even without his goal. With his goal it was an excellent performance. People were speaking last night about the inexperience in the squad but these players are playing for their clubs at a really high level.”
Jones himself spoke highly of the freedom given to him by his England teammates, particularly noting how Jude Bellingham’s coverage allowed him the opportunity to score his goal.
“I just went out there and I was playing free and I had a smile on my face,” Jones told ITV. “I was enjoying it and I’m happy I came away with a goal as well.
“When you’ve got a team like ours I can go high and I can come low and I can get on the ball and I can play.
“There’s lads there to help and there’s also lads who said I can go [forward] as well. Jude [Bellingham] stayed back, so I saw I had a chance to go and lucky enough I scored.”
