Liverpool FC News: 'People sleep on Curtis Jones' - Reds star tipped for England call

Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd has showered praise on Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, insisting that he is vastly underrated and deserves senior international recognition for his performances this season.

Speaking on the Optus Sport Football Podcast, the former Blackburn and QPR forward stressed that the 23-year-old should be receiving more credit for the way he has made himself a first-team regular this season.

"People sleep on Curtis Jones. He’s important to the way they [Liverpool] play," he said. "He doesn’t get enough credit."

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Jones has featured in all but one Premier League game that he has been available for this season.

Bothroyd went on to add: "He should be in the England squad. That’s how good he is."

Jones a growing influence

Jones, a Toxteth native, has been a consistent performer for Jurgen Klopp's side this season.

This came on the back of an impressive campaign for the England Under-21s in the summer, which resulted in them being crowned Euro 2023 champions thanks to a Jones goal.

Since then, despite unfortunate injury setbacks, Jones has been a regular for Klopp this year, often keeping new signing Ryan Gravenberch out of the side.

His passing, with a success rate of 90.8%, stands out as the highest among Liverpool's starters in the current Premier League campaign, underlining his influence on the team's engine room.

Now, comparisons are being drawn to other young talents like Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United, who has also been touted for a potential England call-up ahead of Euro 2024, especially in the light of Kalvin Phillips' struggles since joining West Ham United, plus those of Jordan Henderson, who now finds himself at Ajax after his failed move to the Saudi Pro League.

Fresh injury

After being forced off during Liverpool's recent victory against Brentford with an ankle injury, Klopp refused to put a timeline on his return.

Speaking on Tuesday ahead of the Premier League clash with Luton Town, the German said: "I couldn't give you a timeframe even if I wanted to."

Describing it as "a bone, ligament issue", he explained that the club's medics would continue to monitor the situation closely "because not everyone reacts in the same way".

He added: "It depends on the pain level they still have and stuff like this."

Either way, Jones will miss Sunday's Carabao Cup final with Chelsea.