Arne Slot was immediately vindicated with Liverpool change early on against Eintracht Frankfurt

Curtis Jones proved why Arne Slot needs to start him for Liverpool after his “excellent” pass to Alexander Isak in the first half of their Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Despite Liverpool having a dodgy start, they managed to turn the game in their favour thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konate, the score is currently 3-1 to the Reds.

However, within the first 10 minutes of the game, it was clear that Slot bringing in Jones was a good decision.

The centre-midfielder was the main man on the ball for Liverpool throughout the first 45 minutes, and even if he did give it away a couple of times, his impact on the team was obvious.

Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have played a lot of football since the 2025-26 season kicked off, and while their fitness was likely the reason they were dropped, it’s nice to see some of the Reds’ fringe players make an impact.

Not only was Jones the main man on the ball for Liverpool, but he was also their creative spark for most of the first half, with Ally McCoist even being taken aback after his “excellent” lofted pass to Isak almost ended with a goal.

Ally McCoist left impressed by Curtis Jones’ ‘excellent’ pass to Alexander Isak

Liverpool started their Champions League clash against Frankfurt in a rather strange formation.

Slot chose to start three players who could all be used at right back, with both Ekitike and Isak also getting the nod.

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And, while commentating on the game, McCoist gave his thoughts on the pass Jones made.

“What about the pass and the touch, the final one [From Isak] was not so good, but the pass and the touch [from Jones] was excellent,” he said on TNT Sports.

“It must have been close to him as well, but it was a beautiful pass.”

Curtis Jones could earn himself a place in Arne Slot’s starting XI if he continues playing like this

Now that Florian Wirtz has joined Liverpool, one of the Reds’ most stacked areas of their squad is their midfield.

Although Mac Allister was one of the Anfield outfit’s most important players last term, this season, it feels like he’s been miles off the pace.

Indeed, most of the Reds’ first-team squad have performed below their usual standards, but when Slot has chosen to use Jones, he’s always seemed to bring something new to the table.

Although he’s only played 45 minutes of football against Frankfurt, it feels like he could end the game as Liverpool’s man of the match, even if Ekitike did bring the Reds level with his former club.

He could also make a case for taking Mac Allister’s spot in Slot’s starting XI at the moment, even if he did bag a brace for Argentina during the international break.

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