Curtis Jones has now made more than 200 appearances for Liverpool and the midfielder has spoken about the impact of Steven Gerrard’s guidance during his academy days
Curtis Jones has often been the unsung hero for Liverpool. Despite a rocky start to the season, Arne Slot’s team began to find their footing as they approached the festive period, securing victories in both European and Premier League matches.
The resurgence of Liverpool’s form seems to coincide with Jones’ stellar performances in midfield. The 24-year-old academy graduate is vying for a spot in the starting line-up alongside players like Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Domink Szoboszlai.
Szoboszlai, in particular, has been in scintillating form this season, earning admiration from fans worldwide for his consistent performances in the red jersey.
Yet, it’s even more commendable that local lad Jones has managed to shine in such a competitive squad. The young midfielder has now clocked up over 200 appearances for Liverpool since making his debut in 2019.
This is an extraordinary feat for someone who was born and bred in the area, becoming the youngest player to reach the double-century mark since Steven Gerrard in 2003. Jones achieved this milestone at the age of 24 years and 317 days, while Gerrard did so at 23 years and 121 days.
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In a post-match interview with LFCTV, Jones recalled a pivotal moment from his early career when Gerrard himself intervened to guide the young midfielder’s trajectory.
“Steven Gerrard has obviously been a huge part of my career and life,” Jones reflected, discussing his time under Gerrard in the youth set-up.
“I say life because he was probably the first man to really have a pop at me at the academy, and just changed me to think: ‘Yeah, I’m not better than anybody else’.
“It was a reality check in terms of the way I played and the role that he gave me. Steven would be the first to say that once I overcame a thing where I complicate things and thought I was the man because I had a [number] 10 on my back and things like that, I’d be the first man he’d pick on his team.”
He added: “That came with him. I’d always been a kid that was top of the age group and at times I’d become a little bit passive I’d say. Steven was the first one to give me a real check. Coming from a man like him, who played the game, who I idolised, I thought: ‘I’ve got to change if it’s him that’s telling me’.
“From there he stuck with me and I stuck with him and we worked. A year after I’m around the first team and I’m stood here now on 200 games, so he’s obviously a man that I’d like to thank as well.”
Jones has featured intermittently in Slot’s squad since the Dutchman took charge, and despite making his debut six years ago, the midfielder has yet to cement himself as a guaranteed starter. Nevertheless, the tide appears to be turning for the Englishman, who is building a compelling argument to become a regular fixture in the starting XI.
Jones, who isn’t shy about getting on the ball, put in a commendable performance against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League earlier this season. Alongside Szoboszlai in the double-pivot, he completed 122 passes – the highest number by a Liverpool player in Europe, according to Opta.
Liverpool’s form took a dip after their 5-1 thrashing of the German team, with only a win against Real Madrid to break the slump. However, when the Reds started to find their rhythm in December, Jones demonstrated why he deserves a regular spot in the line-up.
In a diamond midfield formation against Inter Milan in Europe, Jones outperformed his midfield counterparts. He completed the most passes – 67 – with an impressive success rate of 96% over a 45-minute period.
The local lad also covered 12km against the Italian side, with only Nico Barella and Mac Allister running further.
Manager Slot kept faith in Jones for the match against Brighton, which Liverpool won 2-0 thanks to a double from Hugo Ekitike. The midfielder maintained his high standards with a 92% pass success rate and won eight of his 12 duels against The Seagulls.
Jones isn’t your typical Hollywood footballer who delivers dazzling through balls and stunning diagonal switches. Instead, he’s the heart of the midfield, enabling his team to flourish.
His knack for maintaining possession and distributing the ball effectively to his teammates underscores this point.
While Jones may not have been a regular starter in the past, he’s making it increasingly hard for Slot to overlook him for crucial matches, thereby intensifying the competition for a starting spot in the midfield.
Sometimes, a player hitting form can feel like a new signing. If Liverpool are to regain their momentum and aim for the summit of both European and domestic leagues, it’s evident that Jones will be a vital component in Slot’s strategy, and he owes much of that to the sage advice from club legend Gerrard.
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
