Curtis Jones: Why Liverpool must tie “unlucky” pass master down to new contract

Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot has had his say on the long-term way forward for the “unfortunate” Curtis Jones after the midfielder was closely linked with an exit throughout the January switch window.

The long-serving England worldwide was thought to have captured the eye of each Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan over the winter, and a transfer to the latter progressed on the private aspect within the final days of the market.

Jones was reportedly open to a change to San Siro, however Liverpool couldn’t fathom letting a first-team common depart, and the window closed with the 24-year-old nonetheless at Anfield.

Talking in his press convention forward of Sunday’s Premier League conflict with Manchester Metropolis, Slot defined the membership’s reasoning for holding maintain of Jones, who has been “unfortunate” with sure circumstances this season

“I believe what you have seen, he’s performed lots of minutes,” Slot mentioned. “Not all of them, however he is additionally unfortunate within the sense that it is in all probability the one line the place we’ve not had accidents. However he is nonetheless performed lots of minutes, in order that’s why we stored him.”

Arne Slot on Curtis Jones contract extension: “Talks are going down”

“We’d like these midfielders in several positions. After all we stored him, his scenario hasn’t modified to us as one of many 16 gamers we now have obtainable for the long-term. Would have been a bit unusual if we let anybody go.”

Jones’s scenario is difficult by the truth that his Liverpool contract expires on the finish of the 2026-27 season, probably placing the Reds underneath strain to promote him this summer time if he doesn’t signal a brand new deal.

Whereas the midfielder has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season, he has solely began 10 matches within the Premier League and was introduced on for simply the final six minutes of final weekend’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have been all cornerstones of Liverpool’s triumphant 2024-25 Premier League-winning squad, and Jones might have extra alternatives for constant begins elsewhere.

Requested in regards to the Englishman’s contract scenario, Slot revealed that “talks are going down” and all events are conscious of the truth that Jones is about to grow to be a free agent subsequent yr.

“Talks usually are not going down over right here, talks are going down somewhere else,” Slot added. “The second we now have any information, we share if over right here. However I’m conscious, he’s conscious, the membership is conscious that he solely has 18 months left, in order that’s all I can say.”

Ought to Liverpool preserve or promote Curtis Jones?

© Imago / RHR-Picture

Much like Arsenal with Hale Finish merchandise or Manchester United with Carrington academy prospects, many Liverpool followers naturally really feel a deep-rooted reference to Scouse abilities who’ve emerged from the youth setup.

Moreover, Jones is now one of many longest-serving senior gamers within the Liverpool squad, and the statistics counsel that there are few higher with regards to a midfielder’s bread and butter – passing.

The 24-year-old has accomplished 92% of his passes within the 2025-26 Premier League season – placing him within the high 4% of midfielders – and within the 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt in October, he registered essentially the most passes by a single Liverpool participant on file in a UCL sport (122).

Jones additionally holds the 2025-26 PL file for essentially the most possessions gained in a single sport (15), so a contract extension have to be of the utmost significance for Liverpool, however don’t be stunned to see Jones discover his choices whereas he stays a rotation participant.