Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has spoken out about the ongoing domestic ban he picked up after being sent off in the defeat to Tottenham at the end of September.
The 22-year-old was shown a straight red card by Simon Hooper for a foul on Yves Bissouma, with the referee amending his decision from the yellow he’d originally shown before reviewing the incident on the pitchside VAR monitor.
It ended a run of four successive Premier League starts for the Scouser, who was asked about the suspension when he faced the media on Wednesday afternoon ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League clash against Toulouse.
Jones admitted (via Liverpool Echo): “It’s been tough, I was doing well and a small mistake stops the run of games. It’s in the past, I’ve moved on and now I am excited. Any complaints? Yes and no. I was unfortunate but I saw what the ref was shown.”
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp shares positive Andy Robertson update after Liverpool defender’s surgery
READ MORE: ‘He is available’ – Klopp confirms injury boost for Liverpool ahead of Toulouse clash
Similar to the injury suffered by the in-form Cody Gakpo on the same evening, Jones’ three-match ban came at an inopportune time, with the midfielder enjoying a sustained run in the starting XI before the ban he picked up against Spurs.
The 22-year-old has at least been fresh and available for Europa League action and will very likely start against Toulouse, especially with one more match of his domestic suspension still to serve against Nottingham Forest next Sunday.
Regarding the incident which prompted his enforced withdrawal from Premier League action this month, the tackle looked a bad one from the still image which was shown to Hooper when he approached the VAR monitor.
However, it didn’t appear half as bad in real-time footage, which showed that the Liverpool midfielder’s foot rolled over the top of the ball and his studs duly caught Bissouma on the shin.
It could certainly be deemed an unfortunate setback for Jones, who had kept Ryan Gravenberch waiting for his full English top-flight debut prior to being banned, but at least he’s had European games to keep him ticking over and will be fully available once more following the weekend.
#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones🎙️