Curtis Jones opens up on Merseyside derby winner and playing through illness

Reds youngster Curtis Jones has stated that he was ill leading into the FA Cup clash against Everton at Anfield yesterday.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made wholesale changes for the game, as he only had 12 senior players at his disposal due to injuries heading into the clash. Majority of them were rested, as the club have one eye on the Premier League.

Despite Liverpool fielding a weakened team and Everton fielding their first XI, the Reds were 1-0 victors. Regardless of the fact Jones was feeling ill, he scored the winner with a sensational strike in the second-half.

“The gaffer’s strong on not showing when you’re hurt and showing when things are tough so I think it was only right that I didn’t show that I was ill,” Jones told Liverpoolfc.com.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Curtis Jones of Liverpool battles for possession with Djibril Sidibe of Everton during the FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 05, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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“I’m glad I didn’t because I went out there and I put in a shift for the team. I’m just happy that we came away with the win and I’m looking forward to the next round.”

Jones added: “I think for me, being a young lad, a local lad and playing for the team that I love and the fans that I love, it’s massive.

“I go out there and try to take every opportunity that I get, and every game that I play I will always try to give my best. That’s what I tried to do today and I was fortunate enough to top it off with a great goal as people would say.”

It was a superb moment for the 18-year-old, especially when you consider he was not feeling too well. It takes serious mental strength to play in a game at that intensity when suffering from an illness.

Jones has had some decent moments at Anfield this season. Along with the derby winner, he has also scored the winning penalty in the shootout against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup late last year.

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Source: anfieldhq.com