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The Reds academy graduate contributed significantly by winning the penalty for Mohamed Salah to convert, before netting a goal himself. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez commended Jones’ movement off the ball and his knack for winning second balls, essential in helping Liverpool dominate the game against Enzo Maresca’s side.
Rafael Benitez said, “We were talking about players, but the reality you see now, when you talk about long balls and second balls, he’s going for the second ball. He’s holding the ball and dribbling past players. Here we can see the same situation, he’s close to the second ball, he’s going forward, finding the pass and making the run [to win the first penalty]. That is sometimes very difficult to run in behind defenders. Obviously, Chelsea fans will say it’s not a penalty, the Liverpool fans will say it’s a penalty. He’s kicking him and he goes on the floor a little bit late, but you have to accept that. I like this one especially, I’m always looking for a midfielder that understands what is going on around him. He’s watching behind, he can see the space. Liverpool is three on three under pressure and he goes to the wide areas away from the two holding midfielders. He finds the space and goes forward, [if] he cannot, he goes backwards and keeps the ball. Again he finds the space and goes both sides of the midfielder. Now you see a change of pace [for his goal], the timing to get into the box and after he finishes with the right foot which is quite difficult. Here we see him on the floor tackling, using the body, he’s strong and wins a foul for the team. He did a fantastic job.”
