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Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones believes he had a “decent” match in the goalless draw against Chelsea on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old made his first start since November in the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge, playing 79 minutes before being replaced by James Milner.

Jones battled it out against the likes of Enzo Fernandez, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, but neither side could break the deadlock in a tense affair under the lights.

Liverpool youngster pleased with display

Contents

1 Liverpool youngster pleased with display
- 1.1 Tense evening at Stamford Bridge
  - 1.1.1 Liverpool still chasing top four

Despite the goalless draw, Jones was very happy with his return to the pitch, with the youngster starting alongside Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson in central midfield.

He represented one of a number of changes to the starting XI from manager Jurgen Klopp, who brought in many so-called reserve players in order to prove a point to his regular starters.

“I was decent,” Jones told the official Liverpool website. “I’ve been out for, say, 15 weeks and it’s been an up-and-down time.

“I was steady, I was keeping the ball, I wasn’t trying to do too much. It was good to be out there with the team and I’ll see what the rest of the season looks like.

“The more I play, the better I am. As I said, it’s been a hard time but now I’m back, so I’m excited.”

Tense evening at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea went into the game having just sacked Graham Potter, in what was a good opportunity for Liverpool to take something from their tricky opponents.

And while Klopp will be delighted with the clean sheet away from home, he may be disappointed that his players could not take advantage of playing a club in disarray.

Young midfielder Jones was somewhat happy with the point, which takes Liverpool to 43 points for the season, but he felt three points were in the offing.

The Reds have been overtaken by Aston Villa in the standings and now occupy eighth place, seven points off Newcastle, Spurs and Manchester United, who are all in joint third.

“We’ve not been on the best of runs, it’s been a difficult time for myself and the whole of the team,” added Jones.

“But a point here is hard but we’ve come here, done a job and it’s a step – I wouldn’t call it the right direction because we wanted to come here and take all three – but a point’s a point and we kick on.”

Liverpool

Liverpool still chasing top four

Despite Newcastle, Spurs and Man United all going strong this season, the Reds remain hopeful that there is a place in the top four of the table for them.

But the tough fixtures continue as Liverpool host league leaders Arsenal on Sunday, with the Gunners keen to extend their lead at the top.

But young midfielder Jones believes the club can give Mikel Arteta’s side a game and pick up some points in a bid to climb the table.

“I think the energy and stuff has to stay the same and when we have the ball we just need to play more as a team and settle down more – we can play more,” said Jones. “Just be confident.

“We’re still a world-class team, we’re just having a bit of a blip and that happens of course. So, just go out there and be ourselves again.”