‘If Ali sees this, this is for you’: Liverpool matchwinner Curtis Jones dedicates his goal in victory at Sheffield United to grieving goalkeeper Alisson after his father tragically drowned in Brazil
- Curtis Jones scored as Liverpool beat Sheffield United 2-0 on Sunday evening
- The Reds were without No.1 goalkeeper Alisson after the star’s father died
- Jose Becker was found to have drowned on Wednesday on the family’s ranch
- Jones dedicated his much-needed strike to the Brazilian and his late father
Curtis Jones paid a touching tribute to goalkeeper Alisson and his late father after netting in Liverpool’s victory over Sheffield United on Sunday night.
Alisson was missing from Bramall Lane after his dad tragically drowned in Brazil last week.
Jones’ second Premier League goal and an own-goal from Kean Bryan helped secure a win that puts Jurgen Klopp’s side two points off the top four.
Curtis Jones fired Liverpool to victory over Sheffield United on Sunday for a first win in five
The midfielder dedicated his goal to Reds keeper Alisson, who was absent from the game
Alisson’s father was found dead on Wednesday having drowned on the family ranch in Brazil
‘It’s been a difficult time for me and the rest of the team,’ Jones, 20, said.
‘This goal is for Ali’s dad, may he rest in peace. If Ali sees this, this is for you.’
Jones added: ‘He’s a strong lad, a big player for the team. He’s not here today but we miss him for sure and I’d like to take this time to dedicate my goal to him, his dad and the rest of his family.’
Klopp echoed his midfielder’s message. ‘It’s a very nice touch from Curtis, of course, but it was clear it would be like this, that we’d try everything – not only for Ally but also for Ally of course,’ he said.
‘It’s a very, very big (result)… it’s normal that we’re criticised, people have written us off. That’s fine.’
The champions ended a run of four league defeats in a row, which ended their title hopes
This victory ended a run of four consecutive league defeats for Liverpool. Sheffield United, meanwhile, became the first team since 1970/71 to lose as many as 21 of their opening 26 matches of an English Football League season.
‘I don’t think there were any white flags flying tonight,’ Chris Wilder said. ‘(But) this is an incredibly tough situation and one we don’t look like we’re going to get out of.’
Wilder’s side did have the ball in the net first, after Ozan Kabak diverted a through-ball beyond Adrian, but Oli McBurnie was rightly flagged offside.
Then, three minutes into the second half, Jones drilled home the opener. Some United players stopped, believing the ball had gone out in the build-up, but VAR confirmed the goal should stand.
The Reds were desperate to stop their slide and will now hope to re-gather a strong run of form
‘I’ve always said I’m a player who likes to assist and score goals, the time is right now,’ Jones added.
Sadio Mane then had a second ruled out for offside before Roberto Firmino’s shot, which was heading wide, deflected in off Bryan.
‘A result is quite difficult, it has to be a perfect storm for us,’ Wilder said.
‘The gap is obviously huge at the best of times…. it’s even bigger when you give away goals like that.’