As the second half got underway in Liverpool Under-21s’ Premier League 2 return against Tottenham Hotspur, Jurgen Klopp watched on briefly from the car park before getting in his car and departing the Academy.
His scouting mission for the day was already done. With Curtis Jones a surprise starter in Barry Lewtas’ midfield, the Scouser was the player the German had come to see.
Jones has endured a torrid time with injuries over the past 18 months. A freakish eye injury suffered in training derailed his campaign last year as the Reds chased an unprecedented quadruple. Meanwhile, a stress injury in his leg has limited him to just eight appearances so far this season, with him suffering a couple of setbacks along the way.
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As a result, he only made his return from the World Cup break as a substitute in last week’s loss to Brentford. But when he was absent from the matchday squad that faced Wolves in the FA Cup, it would have been no surprise if the reason had been another unfortunate lay-off.
Normally the early rounds of the domestic cup would be the perfect opportunity to rotate a side and turn to younger players. Jones famously enjoyed his most memorable Liverpool moment to date against Everton in the FA Cup back in 2020, after all.
Yet with Klopp naming his strongest available XI against Wolves, Jones was nowhere to be seen. In truth, his absence earned little attention, reiterating the frequent frustrations he has suffered since that memorable Everton strike.
But on this occasion there was no new setback. This time the midfielder was being held back to play for the Under-21s against Tottenham, taking a step back in hope of pushing on once more. Sometimes it’s just better to play and to start.
While still eligible for Under-21s football, this outing was his first for Liverpool’s second string since captaining them to victory over Wolves in February 2020 - coming just a month after downing Carlo Ancelotti’s Blues. As a result, he very much looked the senior footballer playing youth football against Spurs, despite his tender age.
Superb on the ball throughout, he oozed class and confidence back at the Academy as the young Reds started well against Spurs. Linking up well with the likes of Melkamu Frauendorf and Ben Doak, his footwork was eye-catching as he bamboozled his way past opposition players. Meanwhile, his experience and leadership showed with a vocal showing also, guiding the likes of Luke Chambers through the game.
Yet a controversial red card issued to Calvin Ramsay midway through the half ensured it was not to be a winning return to this level for Jones. While he’d helped Liverpool control proceedings before the dismissal, the Reds inevitably struggled for possession afterwards.
Jones was replaced at half-time, with it always the plan for him to only play 45 minutes as Klopp watched on from the sidelines. Off the back of Ramsay’s red card, he was even more frustrated to come off, with the 21-year-old hungry to stay on and help his side fight back.
Liverpool’s midfield woes this season have been well-documented and Jones will have inevitably had more game-time had it not been for injuries of his own. Yet the jury remains out whether he could be Klopp’s answer in the engine-room. In truth, it's harsh to judge him when you take into consideration those injury setbacks.
But regardless of what outsiders might think, Jones’ talent is clear and it’s important to stress he is still only 21. This return to the Academy won’t be a weekly occurrence but both manager and player will be hoping one step backwards helps him now take two steps forward as Liverpool attempt to resurrect their season.
Ramsay robbed
Like Jones, Calvin Ramsay hasn’t had much of a break so far this season because of injury. An issue was spotted in his medical following his summer move from Aberdeen, ensuring he had to wait until November to make his Liverpool debut.
Since then he has also suffered setbacks and, having been limited to two appearances for the Reds, is yet to even feature in the Premier League. Again, an FA Cup tie with Wolves would normally be an occasion to turn to the Scotland international, but instead he was held back to face Spurs.
The 19-year-old was ultimately involved in the decisive moment of the game as he chased back after Romaine Mundle midway through the first half. The Spurs forward tripped, with referee Daniel Middleton ruling the defender had made contact and, as the last man, sent him off for a professional foul.
Yet replays suggested Ramsay wasn’t even close to making contact with Mundle, with the Spurs man instead tripping over his own feet. Either way, Ramsay’s afternoon was over as he slowly trudged off, past Klopp, back to the dressing room. He is now set for a two-game ban at Under-21s level.
A chance missed then for the Scot, to earn some needed game-time in front of his watching manager. With the red card the wrong decision, he will understandably feel robbed.
Yet with Liverpool facing an FA Cup replay against Wolves at Molineux, sandwiched between clashes with Brighton and Chelsea, perhaps his next first team opportunity is only around the corner.
Double Doak
Ben Doak remains the talk of the Liverpool Academy this season as the Scotland youth international continues to shine following on from his summer move from Celtic.
The 17-year-old impressed in mid-season friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan, following on from a Reds debut against Derby County, and has since caught the eye against both Aston Villa and Wolves.
It doesn’t matter what level the winger is playing at, be it Under-18s, Under-19s, Under-21s, or first team, it’s all the same to him. He plays the exact same way regardless, terrifying defences as he goes.
Having enjoyed a five-minute cameo against Wolves, Doak was at it again just 15 hours later as he was selected to start against Tottenham. Unsurprisingly, he was Liverpool’s most eye-catching forward.
Repeatedly running at his defender, he beat him countless times and put in dangerous crosses as the Reds searched in vain for an opener. Meanwhile, he had a shot of his own blocked as well.
Yet Doak was also on the receiving end of some rather heavy tackles, with his reputation no doubt now going before him. If you can’t stop him legally, just stop him it seems.
One such incident saw the winger shout out in pain as he rolled around on the floor in pain shortly before the interval. He would be replaced at half-time.
Fortunately such a change was pre-planned, with the 17-year-old only ever pencilled in to play 45 minutes following on from his first team involvement the night before. Still just a boy, Liverpool will continue to manage him carefully.
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