Graeme Souness, a Liverpool legend, has named two Liverpool players he believes are ‘fighting for their futures’ at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s team has had a poor season, having been knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 stage by Real Madrid and never being viable Premier League title challengers.
The Reds have been hampered by injuries, and weariness from last season’s 63-game season – in which the Reds played every conceivable game – has also been noted as a factor in their troubles. Various departments of the pitch are also seen as in need of improvement, with a number of midfield additions likely this summer.
Souness wants two Liverpool academy graduates to prove their worth to Klopp
Liverpool woes this season have been endured as a result of the club failing to strengthen their midfield last summer. Curtis Jones’ return from injury has strengthened the Liverpool midfield, with the Reds academy graduate injecting new energy and drive into the mix. He opened the score in Liverpool’s thrilling 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
Prior to the match on Sunday, Souness named Jones as one of two Reds players – along with fellow academy graduate Harvey Elliott – fighting for his future at the club due to the possibility of new signings this summer, and the young midfielder certainly proved his point to Klopp at Anfield.
According to the three-time European Cup winner, both Liverpool and Tottenham players have a point to show between now and the end of the season. He explained:
“The same applies to both clubs – some of them are fighting for their future at the club. The young boys – Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones – they have to show the manager you don’t have to buy expensive midfield players, we’ve already got them here.
“For Spurs, a lot of them are playing for their future. This year they’ve shown they’re not up for the fight on a regular basis, every single week. We talk about passion. It’s not a light switch, you can’t turn it off and on. When you play for a big club, you’ve got to be on it all the time. These players this year have shown this has not been the case.”
Both Liverpool and Sours find themselves in a similar situation this season, as elite European football in Champions League looks set to elude them sext season. Jurgen Klopp has already ruled out his side of the top-four race, with Spurs, who have appointed a second interim manager after Christian Stellini was sacked, are currently placed sixth in the table below the Reds who have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Curtis Jones scored one of Liverpool’s four goals against Spurs on Sunday, with Diogo Jota preventing the north Londoners from making an epic comeback at Anfield. Jones started the score for the Reds in the third minute, and the returning Luis Diaz doubled his side’s advantage 120 seconds later. On the quarter-hour mark, Mohamed Salah scored to make it 3-0.
Spurs’ Harry Kane responded right before the break, before Son Heung-min cut the margin further. Richarlison came off the bench to tie the game at 3-3 in the 93rd minute, but Jota sealed the deal with a winner just 60 seconds later to cap off an incredible afternoon.