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Curtis Jones – The Scouse Constant Amid Liverpool’s Transition

As Liverpool prepares for a late Saturday trip to Brentford under the floodlights of the Premier League’s upcoming 8pm kickoff, the conversation around the Reds has taken a welcome turn. On the morning of the match, listening to Dave Davis’ post-press conference podcast, there was one consistent note of positivity: Curtis Jones. For a player so often misunderstood, it was refreshing to hear admiration replacing doubt.

I’ve long been a champion of Jones. There’s something deeply authentic about his journey — a local lad with genuine Liverpool DNA, blending academy craft with first-team conviction. His physicality, control, and unwavering urgency to succeed for his hometown club are exactly what this team needs as it navigates another period of transition. Yet, despite his growth, there remains a frustrating tendency among sections of the fan base to undervalue what he offers.

Yes, he sometimes overplays. Yes, there are moments when the safe pass would be sufficient. But that willingness to take responsibility — to dictate, to create, to risk — is part of what makes him unique. In an era of system players and cautious possession, Jones still dares to shape the game on his own terms.

From Attacker to Architect

It’s worth remembering that Curtis Jones didn’t emerge as a midfielder designed for the grind. He was an attacking creator in the academy, closer in profile to a wide playmaker than a deep-lying engine. His reinvention under multiple managers — from Klopp’s pressing blueprint to Slot’s more positional style — speaks to an adaptability that few in the squad possess.

Against Eintracht Frankfurt in the week, that evolution was on full display. Operating in a double pivot alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, Jones was magnificent. He provided structure, balance, and rhythm — shielding the back line when required and stepping forward when space allowed. His ball progression, both through line-breaking passes and his ability to carry possession under pressure, was among the finest individual performances of Liverpool’s European campaign so far.

There was a maturity in how he approached the game. Every decision had purpose; every touch fed the collective tempo. It was the kind of performance that made you wonder why he isn’t already viewed as indispensable.

Liverpool’s Transitional Anchor

Liverpool’s ongoing rebuild is not merely tactical, it’s cultural. The post-Klopp identity shift under Arne Slot requires leaders who understand what it means to represent the club, not just play for it. Curtis Jones fits that bill completely.

At 24, he’s entering the stage of his career where potential must transform into permanence, and the signs suggest that’s exactly what’s happening. His ability to operate as both a controller and conduit, linking defence to attack, makes him the natural bridge between eras. In a squad still seeking balance without a specialist number six, his composure and control could become essential.

Jones may not be the flashiest name, nor the easiest to market, but he represents something more meaningful — a local talent thriving on intelligence, responsibility, and belief.

If Slot is serious about building a team that reflects Liverpool’s values while embracing modern tactical fluidity, Curtis Jones should remain a cornerstone. This isn’t just a player holding his place; it’s a midfielder quietly shaping the next version of Liverpool.

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