Liverpool already laying the groundwork for next academy STAR

Curtis Jones has been at Liverpool since the age of nine and has become an important, homegrown member of the first team in recent years.

Having made his debut in 2019, Jones has gone on to play almost 100 games for the Reds, and at 23 years old there is still plenty of time left to improve as he reaches his peak.

Liverpool's failure to sign Martin Zubimendi was a boost for Jones, who was excited for his game to develop under Arne Slot's style of football this season. His game time so far has been limited, partly due to injury and partly due to Ryan Gravenberch's brilliant form.

Jones will be hoping to break back into the first team over the coming weeks, but it looks like the club might already be thinking about the long-term with a recent gift they handed the midfielder...

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Project Jones

Jones and his partner Saffie Khan recently announced the birth of their first child, Giselle Deliah Jones.

Upon his return to training today, Jones was gifted his daughter's first Liverpool jersey by the club, along with a teddy.

"Thank you so much," he said.

With 'Project Mbappe' a popular trend among parents who want their kids to play football, Jones could have his own project on hand.

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Players with footballing parents

It's obviously very early days yet, but if Jones' daughter does show an interest in football, she could end up being the latest in a long line of Liverpool academy prospects who had a parent playing professional football.

In recent years, the club have handed debuts to a number of these players.

Jayden Danns' father, Neil, made nearly 600 appearances during his time playing for clubs like Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers.

Lewis Koumas – currently on loan at Stoke City – also comes from a good footballing background. His father, Jason, played 38 times for Wales.

Keyrol Figueroa is the son of former Wigan player Maynor Figueroa and recently signed his first professional contract with the club.

The recently-sold Bobby Clark also had a father in the game – Lee Clark played over 200 times for Newcastle United, where Liverpool originally bought Bobby from.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Champions League winner Djibril Cisse also has a son on the books. Prince Cisse is a first-year scholar playing for the under-18s this season. Another son, Cassius, recently made his league debut for Notts County in League Two.