“I’d be shocked if he wasn’t the first name on the team sheet” - Alan Shearer names Liverpool star who must star against Arsenal in PL clash
Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer believes Curtis Jones must be one of the first names on the Liverpool team sheet when they face Arsenal. The Reds travel to the Emirates for an important Premier League clash on Sunday (October 27).
Heading into this tie, the Merseysiders' head coach, Arne Slot, has some decisions to make, particularly in the midfield area. While Jones impressed in his team's league outing on October 19 against Chelsea (2-1), where he bagged the winner, the player was dropped for the following tie.
It was Liverpool's World Cup-winning Argentine Alexis Mac Allister who was preferred in the 1-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday (October 23). Claiming that Jones must return for the upcoming tie against the Gunners, Shearer wrote in the Metro (via Rousing The Kop):
“I’d be shocked if Curtis Jones wasn’t the first name on the team sheet."
“It would be difficult to understand if you put in the performance like he did last week, get man of the match and the winner, to be then left out the following week. I’d be amazed if he wasn’t in the XI."
So far this campaign, Jones has started just two Premier League matches and none in the Champions League. However, he's featured in eight games across competitions, bagging a goal and an assist each.
Currently, Liverpool are placed on top of the league standings, four points clear of third-placed Arsenal.
Alan Shearer predicts winner for Arsenal v Liverpool Premier League clash
Pundit Alan Shearer believes Liverpool and Arsenal will play out a draw when they meet at the Emirates this weekend. The former attacker claims he wouldn't be surprised if the Reds won in north London.
The Gunners come into this tie after having lost 2-0 to Bournemouth last Saturday (October 19), playing most of that match with 10 men. Writing for Metro, Shearer opined:
"We said last week that Liverpool will face a huge test in Chelsea and they’re about to face an even bigger test in Arsenal, away from home, which makes it even more difficult.
"However, whatever tests they’ve had already this season they’ve passed, and don’t be surprised if they pass this one too. I’m going to sit on the fence here though and say it’ll be a score draw in a fantastic game at the Emirates."
Arsenal did manage to bounce back, registering a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday (October 22). Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori remain doubts for this tie.