What Daniel Sturridge told Micah Richards about Curtis Jones as Gary Lineker blown away by Liverpool man

What Daniel Sturridge told Micah Richards about Curtis Jones as Gary Lineker blown away by Liverpool man

Micah Richards believes Liverpool star Curtis Jones put in 'one of the best England debuts’ he’s ever seen in Thursday's 3-0 win over Greece

(Image: The Rest Is Football )

Micah Richards has revealed what Daniel Sturridge privately told him about his former team-mate, Curtis Jones, after lauding the Liverpool midfielder’s performance against Greece as ‘one of the best England debuts’ he’s ever seen. The 23-year-old wrapped up the 3-0 victory with an audacious backheel goal in Athens.

But his all-round performance in the Nations League has really set tongues wagging, with former Manchester City favourite Richards left astounded by the Reds star’s performance.

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And having spoken to his own former team-mate Sturridge, he shared just how highly the Liverpool favourite rates the midfielder after watching him come through at Anfield.

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“We don't really produce the player who can play in that pivot role, Angel Gomes played there and did very well at times, but Curtis Jones was extraordinary,” he said on The Rest is Football podcast. “That's one of the best England debuts I've ever seen.

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“If you look at Curtis Jones, his body positions, he was always available for the ball every time and when you play in that position in a pivot, number six, you don't always have to be dribbling past people, breaking the lines and playing that fantastic pass, it's just being available for the ball.

“And I think, him in that role, in terms of just being that person who is not afraid to just get on it, I thought it showed me his character and how fearless he is.

“I spoke to Daniel Sturridge about him and he said he's one of the best technical players he's ever played with and now you're starting to see it on a regular basis.

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“I think the confidence from Liverpool is obviously helping him but going into internationals, he really felt like he was at home.”

Co-host Gary Lineker was also blown away by Jones’ performance, declaring the Liverpool man was ‘excellent’ and ‘really exceptional’.

“I'd probably pick out Curtis Jones in particular,' he said. “A first start and I thought he was excellent, he didn't give the ball away, he was creative and he capped it off with that wonderful finish for the third goal.

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“He was so happy to take the ball and when he was under pressure, he found a nice little pass or a turn or a flick. I thought he was really exceptional, he's making real progress isn't he.”

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