Curtis Jones’ England call-up highlights Arne Slot’s most impressive feat at Liverpool

Very few could have predicted how well Liverpool would perform under Arne Slot after he took on the unenviable task of following Jürgen Klopp this summer.

After 16 matches in charge across all competitions, the Reds are at the top of the Premier League, have reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals, and are the only team with a 100% record in the Champions League after winning each of their first four matches.

Slot, who guided Feyenoord to Eredivisie glory two seasons ago, continues to urge caution and keep supporters grounded. He knows that a challenging period — similar to what title rivals Arsenal and reigning champions Manchester City are currently experiencing — could affect Liverpool at any time. However, the Merseyside outfit has already demonstrated their strength in depth, with many players who started the campaign on the bench now featuring prominently.

One notable example is the highly-rated Curtis Jones, who broke into Klopp’s midfield during the 2019/20 season and has played a squad role over the subsequent four campaigns, including over 20 league appearances in the 2020/21 and 2023/24 seasons. While he couldn’t secure a permanent starting position under Klopp, his versatility has contributed to a utility player role since graduating from the club’s youth setup. He has played right-back in all three midfield positions (defensive, central, and attacking), as a wing-back, and even on the left wing.

Slot has exclusively used him as a number eight. Since coming into Liverpool’s starting XI on Saturday, October 5, they have achieved wins over Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Brighton (with Jones coming on as a substitute) and earned a draw at Arsenal after coming from behind twice.

Upon closer examination of Jones’ performance, we find his forward passing accuracy is an impressive 87.1%, making it the best in the league across all competitions (excluding players who have participated in fewer than 120 minutes). In the match against Chelsea, he won a penalty, scored a goal, and made a crucial interception inside the box.

One of his standout contributions was the through-ball he delivered to Luis Diaz, arguably the decisive moment in Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, especially considering the team’s relatively sluggish first-half performance.

“I think many of them [the players] have a lot of goals and assists. I still learn on a daily basis about every player, and Curtis is one of them,” Slot told post-match reporters.

“When I started off, the first game I played him as a six, which you didn’t see because it was behind closed doors [against Preston], but that wasn’t his best game – from us but from him as well.

“It’s one of his qualities that at this moment he can play in every position because he’s in a very good place at the moment. So comfortable on the ball, so you can trust him closer to your defence.

“But like we saw against Chelsea and I saw today as well, he is also able to penetrate inside the 18-yard box and give the last pass.

“He’s really made a step up after pre-season, and that’s why he gets his chances now because if players do well – and I have quite a lot of them at the moment – they will get their chances.”

Reds legend John Barnes told the Mirror: “In pre-season, he was one of the players who really enjoyed it. I was with him in America, and he’s one of the players that really liked Slot’s approach because that is the type of football Curtis wants to play in midfield.

“I think Slot’s brand of football really suits him. He had a little injury and lost his place in the team, but he’s coming back now. Every time he’s been fit, he’s been in the team. I know that Slot likes him and wants players like him.”

“He’s really made a step up after pre-season, and that’s why he gets his chances now because if players do well – and I have quite a lot of them at the moment – they will get their chances.”

After playing 14 matches under Lee Carlsey for the England U21s, he seemed likely to be included in the interim Three Lions head coach’s squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Ireland and Finland. However, a muscle injury prevented him from seizing the opportunity to earn his first international cap.

He remained on the bench during their subsequent home defeat against Greece. With Carlsey set to manage his final two matches before Thomas Tuchel takes over, Jones is still in contention for his senior debut, whether against Greece (away) or Ireland (home).

The other contender for the title of most improved Liverpool player under Slot is Ryan Gravenberch. Indeed the Dutchman currently ranks at the top of Squawka’s list of the ‘best central midfielders in the Premier League,’ while Jones is also featured among the top 10 in the latest standings.

Regardless of where you stand, it’s clear that the Dutchman has transformed one of his new team’s most significant weaknesses — highlighted by their summer transfer pursuit of Martin Zubimendi — into one of the most exciting aspects of the team’s development.

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