Liverpool FC News: Gareth Southgate reveals Curtis Jones plan prior to injury

Curtis Jones was in line for a senior England call-up before the ankle injury which derailed his season, it has been revealed. 

The 23-year-old had been enjoying, perhaps, his finest Liverpool campaign to date having scored five times and supplied three assists across 28 appearances in all competitions.

That’s despite being sent off harshly back in September against Tottenham, and missing three matches through suspension, which upset the rhythm of his season. 

He again nailed down a starting berth in the Liverpool midfield at the turn of the year and had established himself as Jurgen Klopp's preferred starting on the left-hand side of the midfield three. However, he saw his progress halted having suffered a sprained ankle against Brentford on February 17. 

Fans were worried about the sight of Jones using crutches when emerging from the team bus for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea but the former England under-21 international is in line to return following the international break.

Liverpool face Brighton in a crucial Premier League encounter on March 31 and their injury problems would finally appear to be easing.  

Southgate ‘very excited’ by Jones

England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed that he was impressed by the form shown by Jones this season and had been intending on bringing him into the reckoning for the March internationals against Brazil and Belgium. 

This would have been one last opportunity for the homegrown star to impress the England staff before the Three Lions start gathering for Euro 2024 at the end of the season. 

With Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips badly out of form, there could well be an open slot in the England midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, and there is every reason to believe that Jones could have filled it following a stellar campaign. 

“He was definitely somebody we were tracking very closely ahead of his injury,” the England manager told the press after unveiling his squad as per the Daily Mail. “We were without doubt very excited by his performances.”

The other contenders for that midfield slot would appear to be Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount and even Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has worn the No.10 for England in recent matches. 

Jones boasts fine England underage pedigree, scoring the only goal and being man of the match in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final against Spain last summer.