Arne Slot inherited Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool and, despite a quiet first window, immediately focused on fitness, control, and structure.
Last season’s move from relentless gegenpressing towards a 4-2-4 pressing shape brought stability and helped the Reds reclaim the Premier League title.
This season, after a Real Madrid-style summer of attacking signings, Liverpool’s issue hasn’t been firepower; it’s balance.
Games have too often descended into chaos: high tempo, high transition, and high risk.
That’s where Curtis Jones keeps changing games.
Why Liverpool Balance Has Slipped 2025/2026
Liverpool’s squad is packed with direct, high-tempo players in Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ékitiké, and Alexis Mac Allister.
They can blow teams away in moments, but they can also lose control just as quickly.
Crystal Palace away, Manchester United at Anfield, and Chelsea late on all exposed that looseness.
Even last year’s PSG tie showed how easily Liverpool could be bypassed if their first press broke.
Slot’s challenge isn’t to make Liverpool more dangerous, it’s to make them more stable.
Curtis Jones Style Of Play
Whenever Curtis Jones appears, the rhythm changes.
He doesn’t slow the game for the sake of it; he dictates when Liverpool accelerate.
When Curtis Jones plays, Liverpool’s possession becomes calmer, their spacing tighter, and their rest defence far less exposed.
He turns chaos into control.
Across this season, the pattern has been consistent:
Match Jones ON Minute Liverpool xG (After ON) Opponent xG (After ON)
vs Bournemouth (4–2 W) 72′ 0.94 0.12
vs Crystal Palace (1–2 L) 65′ 0.77 0.59
vs Chelsea (1–2 L) 56′ 1.02 0.84
vs Manchester United (1–2 L) 62′ 1.75 0.64
vs Eintracht Frankfurt (5–1 W) 0′ 3.21 0.33
When he’s on the pitch, Liverpool’s average xG rises to around 2.2, while opponents drop to 0.5.
The data and the eye test say the same thing: Liverpool look calmer and more balanced when Curtis Jones is involved.
What Does Curtis Jones Do?
Press resistance: Curtis Jones offers composure under pressure.
Jones receives on the half-turn and escapes tight areas, giving Liverpool vital breathing space.
Can receive in the double pivot comfortably due to his press resistance
Can receive in the double pivot comfortably due to his press resistance
Pass retention: Curtis Jones rarely forces the vertical option; instead, he recycles and resets the play to maintain rhythm rather than chaos.
First 5 mins vs Frankfurt were chaotic - Settling game down allowing players to get up the pitch
First 5 mins vs Frankfurt were chaotic Settling game down, allowing players to get up the pitch
Players Up the pitch - front 5 for Liverpool now created due to patience from Jones
Players up the pitch front 5 for Liverpool now created due to patience from Jones
Intelligence: Curtis Jones analyses where the space is and pulls the opposition pressing structure all over the place due to the positions he picks up.
Try TFA Risk Free For 14 Days
Full Access To TFA Articles
New Content 7 Days
Expert Insights
TFA Podcast Access
14 Day Free Trial
Money Back Guarantee