Liverpool FC goalkeeper Brad Jones is hoping to be selected for the clash against Anzhi Makhachkala and make a claim for Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
First choice keeper, Pepe Reina is currently recovering from a hamstring injury picked up whilst on international duty and his understudy is expected to earn a second consecutive start for the Reds against the Russian outfit in Thursday’s Europa League clash.
Reina will be eager to regain fitness as soon as possible and could be targeting the much anticipated Derby clash at the weekend. Jones knows that the decision will be out of his hands, but will be using the Anzhi clash to impress Brendan Rodgers.
Jones saw his side keep a clean sheet at Anfield last Saturday against Reading, in what was his first Premier League start of the season.
“I’ve improved a lot as a goalkeeper from being here,” Jones told the Liverpool Echo.
“You have to fight to get games under your belt and I’m someone who likes a challenge.
“That’s the reason I came here. To set the bar high and see how far I can get in the game.”
Jones was in between the posts when Liverpool met Everton in last season’s FA Cup semi-final after Reina and Alexander Doni both suffered injuries and would be thrilled to play in the derby fixture once again.
The Australian shot-stopper knows that he can put in a performance worthy of the man of the match award and still not be present in the 219th Merseyside derby.
“The more games I play the happier I’ll be.
“It’s his decision. We’ve got another game on Thursday and I’m just focusing on that.
“We will see how that goes. If I can keep playing after that I’ll be delighted,” he added.
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