Empire of the Kop
·21 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsEmpire of the Kop
·21 November 2024
It’s telling of Arne Slot’s quality as a head coach that he’s managed to build on the more than solid foundations left by his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, at Liverpool.
Ryan Gravenberch, for certain, has to be considered the former AZ Alkmaar boss’ crowning achievement thus far.
Just look how quickly the disappointment of missing out on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi was forgotten about. The solution? The Dutchman helped transform his compatriot into one of the most reliable holding midfielders in the Premier League.
Putting aside Roy Keane’s downplaying comments, we can all agree that praise for the 22-year-old’s strong start to the 2024/25 campaign is very well deserved.
(Pictures courtesy of Sky Bet)
In fairness, there’s hardly a shortage of footballers in Liverpool’s current setup who are worthy of mention on these kinds of panel shows.
Mo Salah has been a revelation in the forward line, registering 20 goal contributions in 17 games (across all competitions). Then there’s Ibrahima Konate who has been arguably our most formidable centre-back this season. And who can overlook Caoimhin Kelleher who has utterly excelled in the absence of Alisson Becker in goal?
Paul Scholes, likewise, raised a worthwhile shout in namedropping the £14.9m-valued (according to Football Transfers’ player valuation system) Curtis Jones.
“Has Curtis Jones not been as good as him?” the former Manchester United midfielder spoke on the latest instalment of The Overlap.
“Curtis Jones has been good too, yeah. Very good,” Gary Neville agreed.
“He started to play a little bit at the end of last season.”
Jill Scott pointed to the Liverpool midfielder’s remarkable debut for England: “His goal was good for England, wasn’t it? That little flick. Just showed a player high on confidence, didn’t it?”
There’s been plenty to like about Jones’ contributions this term, with Sofascore handing him an average rating of 7/10 in the Premier League.
Based on his performances over the last calendar year, FBref have awarded the midfielder remarkably high rankings with regard to his use of the ball.