Curtis Jones was the participant who provided a glowing early overview of Arne Slot‘s fashion at Liverpool, however he discovered himself down the midfield pecking order with an undervalued job.
“It’s the happiest I’ve been when it comes to a method of play,” Jones declared early in Liverpool’s first pre-season below new head coach Slot.
“I really feel that is extra me. I can get on the ball extra, I can do me extra so I’m excited,” he added.
Jones offered probably the most fascinating early perception into what supporters may anticipate from the Dutchman’s Liverpool, however his alternative to take a stranglehold on a midfield spot was scuppered by damage.
The Scouser was instantly placed on the again foot by the pre-season subject, together with his first begin solely arriving in Liverpool’s seventh recreation of the season – towards West Ham within the League Cup.
From that time on he can be out and in of the workforce, together with his longest run within the beginning lineup by no means surpassing 4 matches.
CURTIS JONES, 2024/25
Began: 27 (All competitions)
On in its place: 19
Objectives: 3
Assists: 6
Total Season Score: 7
‘The Scouser in our workforce’
For a membership the dimensions of Liverpool, getting any gamers by the academy setup and into the primary workforce must be thought of a serious triumph.
Finally, footballers able to competing on the very summit of the sport make up a minuscule proportion of the world inhabitants, and so it’s removed from simple to search out one in your doorstep.
After all, this additionally implies that not each participant you convey by goes to be a Steven Gerrard or Trent Alexander-Arnold – that’s, ok to earn a transfer to Actual Madrid (whether or not they select to or not).
Fortunately, there’s loads of worth in uncovering figures like Jones who, on the age of 24, is now 179 appearances and 7 main honours deep at Anfield.
So far, it’s a profession trajectory harking back to – and that is meant to be a praise – the likes of Nicky Butt and Phil Neville at Manchester United; by no means the star of the workforce however at all times able to enjoying an underrated position in trophies being hoovered up.
As was the case with these gamers, Jones might be the person to drop out when everyone seems to be match and firing in his place, with Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai forward of him within the midfield pecking order.
However, as a result of seasons are lengthy and gruelling and accidents will at all times chunk, he nonetheless managed a formidable 46 appearances in all competitions in 2024/25.
The undervalued job
In that context, a return of three objectives and 7 assists is hardly eye-catching, significantly for anybody who watched Jones sparkle in ahead areas in youth soccer, usually from the left wing.
But he has utterly altered his recreation within the years since breaking by, turning into a dependable and regular presence within the Gini Wijnaldum mould as a substitute, and excelling in that regard.
Jones received 63% of his tackles within the Premier League this season and is a constant duel winner, one thing which Arne Slot values extremely.
He mixed that with giving the ball away extremely hardly ever, boasting the fourth-best cross completion fee within the division (93.1%) in 2024/25.
Most curiously, the three gamers who outstrip him by that measure all play in defence, the place extra time to play passes is granted.
This strategy to the sport hardly ever lends itself to focus on reels, with Jones’ winner towards Chelsea and essential contribution off the bench within the November win over Brighton some uncommon standout moments.
However he has in any other case spent his time doing the undervalued job of merely serving to the Liverpool machine tick alongside – all the best way to Premier League success.
Worth decrease within the pecking order
The important thing query now could be simply how a lot of that Slot will want as he appears to be like to rebuild Liverpool’s squad in his picture within the coming switch window.
With Florian Wirtz added to the midfield rotation as an out-and-out No. 10, there isn’t a doubting it hurts Jones’ prospects.
Nevertheless, it’s also arduous to think about Slot so shortly discarding a participant who has been so essential to serving to obtain the workforce’s goals this season.
Midfielders who win the ball and by no means give it away will at all times type a helpful a part of any squad that wishes to win silverware, and it could possibly by no means be a nasty factor to have a homegrown hero chipping in.
Greatest second: Sticking up for the Liverpool followers after Abdoulaye Doucoure goaded them at Goodison Park. True Scouser!
Worst second: Penalty miss vs. PSG
Position subsequent season: Squad participant
* Learn all our player-by-player season evaluations right here
