Liverpool’s pre-season match against Real Betis in Pittsburgh took a worrying turn when Curtis Jones had to leave the field due to injury. The 23-year-old midfielder limped off 30 minutes into the game, which Liverpool won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Dominik Szoboszlai.
Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, is keeping his fingers crossed that Jones’s injury isn’t too severe. After the match, Slot mentioned to the club’s website that it was too early to gauge the extent of Jones’s injury.
“He might have been able to continue, but it was clear he wasn’t at his best,” Slot said. He added that with more games coming up on their tour, it was wise to substitute Jones to avoid aggravating the injury. “We hope he recovers quickly so we can have him back for the next games,” Slot hoped.
A New Face Shines
Jones was replaced by 17-year-old Trey Nyoni, who played a role in setting up Szoboszlai’s decisive goal in the 34th minute.
Slot acknowledged the disappointment of Jones having to exit early but saw a silver lining in Nyoni’s performance.
“It’s always tough when a player has to leave early, especially when they’ve been performing well in training,” Slot noted. “However, Trey impressed me during the time he was on the field.”
Curtis Jones’s Positive Outlook
Before the match, Jones had expressed his excitement about working with Slot, calling it the happiest he’d ever been. He praised Slot’s coaching style, noting that it suits Liverpool’s squad perfectly.
“Arne has a clear plan, and he’s very involved in the training,” Jones said. He appreciated the emphasis on teamwork and composure over rushing attacks, which he feels aligns well with his playing style.
Upcoming Fixtures
Liverpool will next face Arsenal in Philadelphia on Thursday, followed by a match against Manchester United in Columbia, South Carolina, the following Sunday.