“He Likes to be Challenged” – Arne Slot Praises Liverpool Star After Everton Victory | OneFootball

Curtis Jones’ Versatility Offers Arne Slot a Tactical Boost at Liverpool

Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Everton was less a flowing Merseyside derby and more a gritty response to pre-international break setbacks. In a match defined by discipline and decision-making, it was Curtis Jones who emerged as the most intriguing tactical subplot — not for anything he did in midfield, but for the role he unexpectedly filled.

Arne Slot’s decision to deploy Jones at right-back was bold. With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley both unavailable, the natural assumption may have leaned towards a reshuffled defence or an academy stopgap. Instead, Slot trusted Jones with the responsibility — a move that says much about both the player and manager.

The match itself was hardly short of drama. Diogo Jota’s solitary goal secured the three points, but the spotlight briefly shifted to referee Samuel Barrott. In the 11th minute, James Tarkowski’s studs-up challenge on Alexis Mac Allister, which caught the Argentine above the ankle, led to widespread disbelief. Despite VAR intervention, Barrott’s yellow card stood — a decision even Everton boss David Moyes conceded was fortunate. Privately, PGMOL has since acknowledged Tarkowski should have been sent off.

Photo: IMAGO

Curtis Jones Shows Adaptability Under Pressure

Slot, speaking ahead of Liverpool’s weekend clash with Fulham, reflected not just on the win but on Jones’ adaptability. “That’s very useful for me,” he said when asked about the midfielder’s versatility. “Of course, me and Richard [Hughes] talk a lot about this season and next season, and it is nice to have versatile players, and Curtis is definitely one of them.”

Jones, wearing the No. 17 shirt, put in an industrious shift at right-back — a role that demands both discipline and drive. While not his natural habitat, the performance underlined his willingness to accept responsibility in moments of adversity.

Slot elaborated: “He has a skill set that he can defend, he can attack, and that’s why he can play in so many positions. And he has this mentality [that] if you give him a challenge, he likes to be challenged, and yesterday was a challenge for him because it wasn’t his normal position.”

Photo: IMAGO

Mentality and Managerial Trust Go Hand in Hand

There’s a subtle message in Slot’s praise: tactical flexibility is one thing, but mentality is another. Jones, who has at times faced questions over consistency, appears to be thriving under Slot’s regime.

“Some players hate a challenge; they like to stay in their comfort zone, but Curtis is the type of player who wants to be challenged if you challenge him,” Slot explained.

Photo: IMAGO

“If you tell him he is playing against the best English midfielder under 21 or something like this, and I want to see how you do against that, then he is up for the challenge. I didn’t ask him to stand up against [Abdoulaye] Doucoure after the away game, but he likes those challenges as well!”

Slot’s tone suggested that Jones is moving into a new phase of his development — not just as a player filling gaps, but as one being groomed for greater responsibility.

Consistency Is Key in Jones’ Evolution

For all his natural ability, Jones has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth at Liverpool. Injuries and form fluctuations have limited his progression. Now, however, he appears to be carving out a niche — one grounded in reliability rather than flashes of flair.

“So, good to have him. Now it’s up to him [so] if I play him again on Sunday that it’s not, ‘One time show yourself,’ because consistency is the thing what brings you from good to great and that is now, if I play him again, what he has to show on Sunday.”

Slot’s words are clear: one strong performance in an unfamiliar role earns trust, but repetition earns status.

In an era of packed fixtures and tactical nuance, players like Curtis Jones — who can plug gaps, adapt quickly, and bring intensity — are golden for managers like Arne Slot. As Liverpool continue their push for the title, Jones may yet become one of this season’s most underrated contributors.