“It wasn’t nice…” – Curtis Jones shares insight into the ‘hard truths’ Gerrard toldhim at Liverpool “It wasn’t nice…” – Curtis Jones shares insight into the ‘hard truths’
Gerrard told him at Liverpool Curtis Jones has revealed how hearing ‘hard
truths’ from Steven Gerrard when he was his Liverpool Under-18s coach
helped him reach his full potential. The Anfield legend worked with the now
first-team midfielder when he was a teenager and the now 22-year-old spoke
of the blunt advice his boss gave him during his time at the academy. Speaking
about Gerrard on the latest episode of the We Are Liverpool podcast, Jones said:
“I remember when he came in – I don’t want to say what he said – it was good
but not great. It was like the harsh truth. I say a little, “I gave you 10 shirts to wear
because I want you to be the main guy on my team and I want to build a team
around you, but you haven’t shown enough.” ” The current Liverpool
midfielder added: “He said there’s one game I really remember – I wanted to
show him I’ll do what you need me to do – we beat Fulham and he said I’m slapped
and a boy stood and said something while I was on the floor. “He turned to
me and said, ‘What did you do with it?'” I said, “I don’t remember,” and he said,
“Well, I’m telling you, you didn’t do anything!” “I sat there and thought
you’re right. This is my club, people like you played here all your life and even
went back to the academy and now you’re a coach, you want to give
everything. club. There are people like me , I’m a schoolboy myself, I don’t
understand the situation I’m in. I have to grow up here and be a man.” Jones
praised Gerrard for the “connection” they
formed working together for the under-18s, and insisted the former Liverpool
captain also praises him “well” and also for the constructive criticism he needs.
Jones is one of a handful of Liverpool Under-18s under Gerrard in 2017/18 who
have either come through the senior ranks at Anfield or gone on to have great
careers elsewhere, such as Caoimhin Kelleher, Neco Williams. and Rhys
Williams. However, many of his teammates from that time either filtered
through the leagues or could not make any success. It is therefore a testament to
the Toxteth native’s character and ability that he went on to make 106 appearances under Jurgen Klopp, scoring a tidy 11
goals and 12 assists from midfield (Transfermarkt). Gerrard knows better
than anyone what it takes to progress through Liverpool’s academy and
become a club legend, so when he gave advice to the teenagers in his under-18
squad, they took the feedback to heart. on. Jones appears to have done just that,
now adorning the number 17 shirt the legendary former captain wore at Anfield at the same age, and it’s fair to s
ay the 43-year-old’s tutelage has played a big part. The current Reds Ace
successfully graduated from the minors and became an L4 senior athlete.
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