Liverpool star Curtis Jones heaps pressure on himself before season starts

Curtis Jones has always divided opinion amongst Liverpool fans. This seemed to happen a lot with midfielders under Jurgen Klopp. 

The German tactician would look to curb their instincts and instead have them carry out roles to benefit the team. It often meant that they were used as a facilitator and, as a result, they had to essentially boycott their final third involvement. 

That is why the likes of Gini Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, Jones and 2023 summer signing Dominik Szoboszlai all seemed to disappoint and underwhelm a section of the fanbase. Everyone had an idea of what to expect from these players but only a handful seemed to alter their expectations after seeing that Klopp had them doing more of a conservative job. 

Jones was a fleet-footed wide midfielder in the academy, someone with the ability to change a game in the blink of an eye. The expectation was that he would be a free-scoring, final-third threat for the Reds. The reality was that he was a controller in midfield. 

He was judged on goals and assists despite never really being in a position to add to his tally. 

Fans wanted more from him even though the environment wasn’t suited to that. And this is why he was such a divisive topic. Some acknowledged he was there to balance the midfield. Others thought he should be doing more than that. 

Make-or-break season for Curtis Jones

Jones may only be 23 but the 2024/25 campaign now looks set to be a make-or-break season for the midfielder. It was going to be an important one for his Liverpool career regardless. His current deal expires in 2027, contract talks should be on the agenda this season and if they aren’t, he could well be sold. 

But he’s added even more pressure to this season with his recent comments during the pre-season tour of America. The Liverpool academy graduate revealed that the Arne Slot style of play suits him better. 

READ MORE: Liverpool's glaring striker issue

“Arne is amazing," he said. "It is probably the happiest I have been. In terms of a style of play, it suits us and the lads we have. It is a clear plan. He is fully involved in the training, coaches us a lot, he’s big on the finer details. 

“My way of playing has always been a kid who wants to get on the ball and play, help the team, be comfortable on the ball. I then came around a team with world-class lads on the wing and up front. I felt like the centre midfielders were more disciplined runners."

“Of course, the principles are the same but now the midfielders are going to be the heart of the team. In terms of our build-up and being comfortable on the ball, we have to be more calm and play more as a team. We’re not in a rush to attack. We want to have the ball and break teams down. I feel more in the past, it was like a rush. We got the ball back. It was a bit too direct I’d say. 

“Arne wants us to get the ball down and completely kill teams. He’s got a certain way of playing and he knows it’s going to take a little bit of time as it’s a big change, but he and his staff are chilled about it. They know there is quality out there and we still have lads coming back.”

The reaction to these comments has been as expected. 

A dig at Klopp that Jones must back up

Some feel it is an unnecessary dig at Klopp and having said this he now needs to back it up on the pitch. He can’t just talk the talk, he needs to walk the walk. 

How that looks remains to be seen. But people expect more than the one goal and one assist he managed in the Premier League last season. And he’s going to have to eclipse the 14 league starts (a career-high) he managed last term. 

READ MORE: Arne Slot handed his first big Liverpool issue

It may hinge on whether or not he’s over the

injury issues

that have plagued him for the past couple of seasons. 

The 23-year-old cut short his summer break, opting to take just 10 days rest despite being given six weeks off. Per reports, he worked with a personal trainer at home and abroad to be in the best shape possible ahead of the pre-season meet-up.

He wanted to impress the new manager. He wanted to make the most of this opportunity for a clean slate. Jones acknowledged as much in the press conference. 

Time for a clean slate

 “I have been around the team now for a long time," he said. "I  don’t see myself as a kid no more. I’m experienced. Been around the squad for over 100 games. There’s been a big change since I started, lads have come and gone. I’ve been around the team for the longest around with the likes of Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Virg [van Dijk] and Ali [Becker].

“I came in at 17. I’ve been around for long enough. I wouldn’t say I’m the most experienced but I know what this club and fans and team want.”

“Then the experience was the new guy was coming in, everyone saw it as a clean slate. I thought I needed that. I came round the team as a young kid where players were established, I had a job on my hands. I still do but I feel now I’m at the point where everyone is equal. The ones who show it more now will play.” 

There was already pressure on Jones. He’s heaped even more of it onto himself with these comments but, in a way, this is what you want to be hearing. Now it is on him to turn those doubters into believers. It is on him to prove he can be a pivotal player for Slot’s Liverpool. If he can’t, his Anfield career could well be over.