'I've learned that anything can happen'

Two years ago in April, he was sat on the substitutes' bench at Ewood Park watching Liverpool coast to a 2-0 lead over relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers.

In the blink of an eye, everything changed. Alexander Doni rushed out to meet Junior Hoilett, clattered the player in the area and was greeted with a straight red card from Anthony Taylor.  

Back on the sidelines, Jones was on his feet; strapping on gloves, ready for action in what would be only his third appearance for the club since arriving 19 months earlier.

The Australian's first task was to deny Yakubu from 12 yards and he did so, lunging to the right to smother the ball. He then played his part to keep Rovers at bay and help seal a dramatic 3-2 win.

Everton at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final four days later would see Jones make his full debut for the club, in Pepe Reina's continued absence; and again his side were successful, progressing to the final.

And as Liverpool prepare to launch a similar run in the same tournament, Jones explained why past experiences have taught him to prepare for each game as though he's going to start the match between the sticks.

"For me, it's a case of training hard and making sure that I'm ready," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "In general, I treat each day before a game like I'm going to play, even though 99 per cent of the time I probably won't.

"I learned pretty early on that anything can happen. And it can happen to me. I've been called upon five minutes before kick-off; there have been lots of different things. There was the Blackburn game and then going into the semi-final at Wembley.

"I've realised that you've got to prepare all the time like you're going to start, so that if that surprise is sprung on you, you're as ready as you can be."

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Jones will be one of a handful of players keen to make the starting line-up when the Reds arrive on the south coast for a fourth-round clash against Bournemouth on Saturday.

For the stopper it would bring a second start of the season, after Brendan Rodgers named him in his team for the 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic at Anfield in the last round of the competition.

Jones insists he'll be as ready as ever to step up, should the manager call upon his services - and he believes it will be the same for some of the other players who have featured less frequently for the Reds this season.

"There are obviously boys whose chances have been limited," he said. "If the gaffer gives you a chance, you've got to try and take it.

"Being a goalkeeper, it's different if you're not playing. It's rare that you come on as a substitute, so in that sense it's rare. But I think in general it's very similar for a lot of players.

"Nothing gets guaranteed, it's purely down to the manager's ideas of the game and what he wants to do and circumstances. I'll just continue on.

"I've said it before - I didn't expect to play so many games last season and this season, you never know what's going to happen."