Arne Slot has declared that Curtis Jones will step into the role of right-back for the impending Merseyside derby. This decision arises from leaving behind Conor Bradley and keeping Jarell Quansah in reserve. The choice to bestow the right-back position on Jones marks Slot’s sole adjustment from the line-up of the Carabao Cup finals and has been on the speculation table for this specific open slot for some time.
Due to Conor Bradley’s lack of complete match fitness and the unfortunate injuries of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, Slot has chosen to involve a traditional playmaker to man the defensive side. Slot gave a hint of his strategies by saying, ‘In our previous derby in Goodison, there wasn’t adequate ball action. We need to enhance both our field possession and in-play ball handling. Curtis is my choice for full-back based on this intent.’
Jones, being no stranger to the right-back role, has led the team to a prolific 3-1 win over Leicester in the previous season’s Carabao Cup. In addition, during 2020, he played the position for brief substitute instances against Arsenal and Brighton.
In the past, Klopp has stated his regard for Curtis, citing his football intellect as the key reason behind considering him for the position. He commented, ‘Curtis was constantly in my thoughts for this role owing to his remarkable comprehension of the game. It’s also his passion to gain ball possession. The defensive position gives him ample such opportunities. Even though the position was uncharted territory for him, his first performance was fantastic.’
Alongside the expectant right-back change, another significant shift in Slot’s formation was deploying Caoimhin Kelleher as the goalkeeper. This move effectively sidelines Alisson indefinitely, which marks a significant diversion from previous setups.
Alisson’s absence stems from a reluctance to risk his participation due to lingering uncertainties regarding a late concussion test conducted on the preceding Tuesday. Slot clarified the situation: ‘We always strictly adhere to the club regulations, and all aspects need to be cleared before a player is fit to enter the field. Unfortunately, Alisson didn’t clear the final phase yesterday.’
Slot highlighted the worthiness of Kelleher by stating, ‘Kelleher has proven himself to be an exceedingly apt substitute throughout this season. His performance indicates that he may indeed be overqualified to merely be Alisson’s backup.’