Curtis Jones has 1 hurdle to jump to become Gini Wijnaldum of Arne Slott Liverpool – Liverpool FC

There were moments in the 2023/24 season when Curtis Jones felt as important to Liverpool’s midfield as Gini Wijnaldum once was, but injuries stunted him again.

Few players emerged from the 2022/23 season with improved reputations, but Jones was one such figure, finishing the campaign strongly.

A midfield overhaul has seen Fabinho and Jordan Henderson jettisoned, among others, but Jones has continued to grow over the past year, albeit with quick shots thrown in.

A positive season that has ended

It will always be fascinating to see how Liverpool’s new-look midfield fares in those first few months of the season, with four new faces brought in.

While Dominik Szoboszlai stole the show early on, the others settled in, allowing Jones to play a modest but key role in the middle of the park.

The 23-year-old has been a lively presence, starting four of the first seven Premier League games and linking up effectively with those around him, so much has he matured from his more flamboyant, attacking years.

Having finished the 2022/23 season impressively, he found another gear in August and September, combining reliability on the ball with tactical intelligence.

This wasn’t a confident young teenager making headlines in the youth team with flashy footwork – this was a disciplined footballer doing exactly what Klopp asked of him.

Unfortunately, a sharp red card at Tottenham brought Jones back, as his season lost its rhythm, and he did not start again in the league for almost two months.

Since then it has been hit and miss, not because he hasn’t played well, but because he hasn’t been in full form often enough.

By the end of the season, Jones had only made 14 Premier League starts, which speaks volumes.

He shone when he was on the pitch and Klopp called him “super important in different sectors”, but his position in midfield was not as strong in May as it was earlier in the campaign.

Perhaps the greatest compliment you could pay Jones is that he was often valued most when he was unavailable, proving to be the underrated gel that held the midfield together.

He didn’t catch the eye like Alexis Mac Allister, nor did he enjoy the cult hero status that Wataru Endo has, but Liverpool were more balanced when he was in the team.

Arne Slott’s answer to Guinea Wijnaldum?

The player the new-look Jones is immediately compared to is Wijnaldum – such an unsung hero for Liverpool at their peak under Klopp.

There have been bigger names, but few have possessed the Dutchman’s ability to be so resistant to pressure, cover ground at will and hold his position so impeccably.

Jones isn’t quite at Wijnaldum’s level yet – he still has some gear to find – but it’s easy to see why he’s being talked about in a similar way.

No Liverpool regular had a higher pass completion rate than Jones (91.5%) in 2023/24.

Jones is tied with Virgil van Dijk, but his numbers are more impressive because of the position he plays.

The way he keeps possession in tight spaces, gives industry and chips in front of goal – five goals and an assist – has come in big leaps.

The biggest difference between Jones and Wijnaldum is availability, however, and that is the main thing that threatens to hold the former back.

Injuries will likely determine Jones’ path

Injuries are such a huge aspect of football and have the potential to define a player’s career.

Just look at fellow Liverpool midfielders Thiago, Naby Keita and Adam Lallana, none of whom reached their potential at Anfield.

While Jones is more reliable in terms of injuries, it’s hard to ignore that his struggles to stay fit for extended periods are becoming problematic.

As mentioned, he made just 14 league starts in 2023/24 – 36 in total, with his longest start streak just five games – and given how highly Klopp rated him, that number would have been far higher had he was more available.

Every time Jones builds momentum, looking like a true starter most weeks, a spell on the sidelines comes his way.

The young Scouser can take solace in the fact that his hero, Steven Gerrard, also struggled with injuries until the age of 23, before becoming far more reliable.

This seems like a significant point in Jones’ career, however, as he is now past the point of being a young man.

It will be interesting to see how Arne Slott plans to use him – there are only so many midfielders to keep him happy – but his skills are sure to appeal to the new manager.

Opinions seem to be divided when it comes to Jones’ ceiling as a footballer, but if he can be a great team player who starts more often than not over the next decade, he will enjoy a remarkable career.

He won’t be stopped by talent or the ability to learn, but by those terrible injuries.

Best moment: Great solo effort at home to West Ham in the League Cup.

Worst moment: Sharp red card away to Spurs.

Role next season: Excellent team player.