Curtis Jones And The Quiet Authority Transforming Liverpool’s Midfield
In a season dominated by noise around structure, selection and senior stars, Curtis Jones has been carving out something far more valuable. Through control, intelligence and remarkable consistency, he has become one of Liverpool’s most dependable performers. On Anfield Index’s Media Matters, Dave Davis and David Lynch highlighted how Jones is shaping the midfield with a maturity that has been years in the making.
Control, Precision And A Performance Built On Trust
Jones delivered one of the standout displays in the San Siro. Davis set the tone early, pointing out that the midfielder produced “the most passes, 67, that elite ball retention, 96 pass success.” What mattered most, though, was that these numbers reflected his influence, not merely accuracy.
Lynch expanded on the substance behind them. “I think he’s having a great season,” he said. “I can think of very very few poor Curtis Jones performances this season really.” In a campaign where Liverpool have struggled for rhythm, Jones has quietly stitched games together.
His ability to blend aggression with calm possession stood out again, with Lynch noting that this match “just suits him down to the ground… control it, keep the ball, win the duels, and he did all that like he always does.”
This was not merely survival football. It was Jones shaping Liverpool’s passages of play.
Forward Thinking And Technical Authority
A long standing criticism of Jones has been a perceived reluctance to play forward quickly. Lynch pushed back on that narrative, using the San Siro as evidence. He emphasised that Jones played “a lot of them forward by the way, which is something he gets criticised about a lot, into the final third, thrashing it through the lines.”
He also highlighted the balance of skill and security in Jones’ game, pointing out that he “completes three dribbles as well… he was just fantastic.”
A Midfielder Entering Undroppable Territory
The most striking praise came in how Lynch contextualised Jones’ importance. “He’s entering undropable territory at the moment,” he said, placing him alongside Dominik Szoboszlai as one of the two midfielders who have delivered consistently regardless of the chaos around them.
This rise is not sentimental. Lynch addressed that perception directly, admitting, “I’ve made no secret of the fact I absolutely love this player… maybe a bit of bias to the local lad.” But the numbers and performances are doing the talking now, not nostalgia.
“He makes the team better, makes the team tick, and he brings that element of control that Liverpool need,” Lynch concluded.
When a midfielder begins to define the rhythm of a side, he becomes more than an option. He becomes a reference point.
The Player Liverpool Needed Without Knowing It
In a season framed by tactical uncertainty and shifting line ups, Curtis Jones has delivered something priceless. Consistency. Authority. Control. His development has collided perfectly with Liverpool’s need for stability in the centre of the pitch.
Davis captured the mood when he said Jones “was everywhere,” while Lynch distilled the bigger picture. “One of the few players that’s been in form really.”
As Liverpool navigate pressure, transition and expectation, Jones has emerged as the calm in the storm. His ascent feels earned, timely and, most of all, justified.
