Steven Gerrard, the iconic Liverpool star, made headlines with a playful jab at the Football Association and England’s coaching staff following Curtis Jones’ impressive debut performance for the national team.
Jones, a product of Liverpool’s academy, recently earned his first cap for England and celebrated it in style by scoring a stunning goal in a 3-0 win over Greece.
Gerrard, who previously coached Jones in Liverpool’s youth setup, jokingly suggested that the FA and England’s coaches “should be fined” for taking so long to see Jones’ potential.
The 23-year-old midfielder showcased his skill by skillfully flicking a cross from Morgan Gibbs-White into the net, marking his debut in memorable fashion.
Gerrard, now managing Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, shared his thoughts on social media, posting: “What a player. Fine the FA and all the coaches for being late,” playfully hinting that Jones should have been on the England radar much sooner.
What England’s interim boss said on Curtis Jones’ debut?
Gerrard wasn’t the only one singing Jones’ praises. England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, commended the Liverpool midfielder for his outstanding performance.
Speaking to ITV, Carsley said, “Curtis Jones is an outstanding player. Even without his goal, he played really well. With his goal, it was an excellent performance.”
Jones, in turn, credited his teammates for giving him the freedom to shine on the pitch, highlighting how Jude Bellingham’s positioning allowed him to push forward and seize his scoring opportunity.
“If you’ve got a team like ours, I can go high, I can come low, I can get on the ball and play,” Jones explained. “Jude stayed back, and I saw I had a chance to go. That’s what I did, and luckily enough, I scored.”
Jones’ journey to the national team is a testament to Gerrard’s impact on his career. Jones has previously shared how Gerrard’s guidance shaped his mindset and pushed him to reach new heights.
“I feel like Steven was the one who came in and made me really think, ‘Look, if I lock all the way in, now I can go to the top,’” Jones once said.
Gerrard’s tough love helped Jones grow as a player. The former Liverpool captain even recounted a pivotal moment in a preseason review where he gave Jones some harsh feedback, challenging him to show more commitment and maturity.
“There was a game where we’d been beaten, and he said, ‘What did you do about it?’” Jones recalled.
“I sat there and thought, ‘You’re right. I need to grow up here and be a man.’”
With Gerrard’s guidance, Jones has blossomed, not just as a Liverpool player but now as a promising talent on the international stage.
England fans will be eager to see more of Jones in action, and if Gerrard’s praise is any indication, he’s only just getting started.
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Steven Gerrard, the iconic 
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