Steven Gerrard knows exactly what the future holds for Curtis Jones with Liverpool

Curtis Jones could make his second appearance for England at senior level later today with the ace looking to build on the .

"What a player," Gerrard while he was watching that game earlier in the week. "Fine the FA and all the coaches for being late!" he joked. Gerrard was simply pointing to the quality that Jones has always had, even if it has taken some time for that to be more widely recognized.

But the Reds' number 17 will be set to increase his role as a vital player for club and country over the next few seasons — as long as he stays fit. There is no reason that he couldn't become a first-pick for England under Thomas Tuchel if he can consistently ensure he is on the field, and should be aiming to nail down a spot ahead of the next World Cup.

For while Jones' goal against Greece was a brilliant piece of individual skill, what he excels at really is exactly what modern teams need in the center of the field: performing the role of a kind of glue to hold everything together. England, certainly, could do with that amid the individual brilliance of the likes of and Cole Palmer.

Jones can create and score but just as important is his ability to win the ball and then keep it. When he is in rhythm and playing well, he rarely gives it away, but is still very progressive.

Compared to other midfielders in Europe's top five leagues, for instance, he is in the 95th percentile for progressive passes received and the 94th for successive take-ons, but also the 93rd for pass completion. He is taking risks with the ball in terms of being a threat in the final third, but is still barely giving it away.

At Liverpool, Jones must compete with and for a position at the moment and when returns from injury, he will add to the competition too. Right now, though, he is in the best form of any of those alternatives.

For England, the route to minutes should be even clearer. Bellingham is more forward-thinking and Declan Rice can play deeper or occupy the box-to-box role — but the Liverpool man would complement both players nicely in a midfield trio.

Gerrard knew Jones' ability-level and he has clearly been keeping a close eye on the Liverpool talent. While Jones was a number 10 at academy level and has been completely transformed since into a much more defensively aware player, that should set him up perfectly to nail down a place in the team for club and country as he enters his peak years.