Liverpool unlock SENSATIONAL Alexis Mac Allister replacement | OneFootball

When players are finding it tough, it's important to have others that can come in and deliver.

Liverpool's squad depth has been dissect as being quite weak at times this season, but that kind of introspection should be expected when the team isn't performing how it should be. In reality, there are individuals in Arne Slot's purview that are more than capable of making a difference in the side.

The Reds' substitute bench normally has academy talent Rio Ngumoha, experienced veteran Wataru Endo, back-up winger Federico Chiesa, keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Curtis Jones sat on it.

At times throughout the season, each of them will get opportunities to play, and the Scouse midfield talent is picked more often than not, due to his adaptability and the fitness levels required to feature in the engine room are extremely high. Alexis Mac Allister has regularly fallen short of the standards.

Slot decided to give Jones a start against Leeds, and he was excellent for a lot of the game.

Jones' flexibility is incredible

The position next to Ryan Gravenberch in the double-pivot has far more responsibility than you might ordinarily think. They're supposed to cover the centre-backs, run the narrow channels up and down the pitch, help out in different pockets during attacks and occasionally drop deep into the backline.

For 90 minutes, Jones did all of that and more. He played the Marc Guehi left centre-back role when the team was in possession, trying to play out from the back and progress the ball to the forwards, meaning Milos Kerkez was afforded a more wide and free role.

Just before the 15 minute mark, he took a looping shot from the edge of the box which hit the crossbar, and beyond that moment, he was constantly involved whenever the team was in attack.

Dominik Szoboszlai ordinarily plays this kind of role for Slot, but the decision to not play either of Mohamed Salah or Chiesa, meant that the Hungarian was required down the right-side.

Across 90 minutes, Jones made two key passes, three out of four long-balls, one successful dribble, one tackle, six recoveries and five duels won from seven. He wasn't faultless, but he delivered the kind of display that Liverpool really needed from him. His efforts were more than sufficient tonight.

Mac Allister was eventually brought onto the pitch, although it was Florian Wirtz who was taken off to facilitate his involvement, with Jones kept on as reward for his efforts.

The game ended in a chaotic 3-3 draw - with all six goals coming in the second half - and Slot will have a lot to ponder before the clash with Inter Milan in midweek, but Jones deserves to play more regularly, because he's incredibly impressive more often than not. There's something to cling onto.