His headed clearance was met with cheers and applause around Old Trafford, which was as much a recognition of his determination to return as it was for dealing with the threat posed by the Portuguese winger.
It was Jones's first senior appearance for the Reds in 707 days, a run that stretches back to 26 January 2020, when he scored against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park in a 6-1 FA Cup fourth-round win.
During his absence, he has faced numerous challenges with injury, but the defender looked as if he had never been away as he put in a spirited performance to mark his comeback.