Curtis Jones has finally begun to cement himself as a regular starter for Liverpool after years of threatening to do so.
The Scouser has had good runs in the team before, largely under Jurgen Klopp, but often seemed to be stopped in his tracks by niggling injuries.
This time feels different, though, with Jones grasping the chance to become a key figure in Arne Slot’s new formation for the Reds.
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200 appearances in red for Curtis Jones 😍 What do you think the future holds for the Scouser?
Curtis Jones 200 games for Liverpool
Will he fulfil his talent at Liverpool?
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Jones thanked Steven Gerrard after reaching 200 appearances for Liverpool last weekend, and has once again reiterated his desire to follow in the former captain’s footsteps.
But while Jones will never be Gerrard for Liverpool, he could still emulate his fellow Scouser and remain at Anfield for the vast majority of his career.
Curtis Jones wants to stay at Liverpool forever
It has been brilliant to see Jones growing into another new role at Liverpool in real time over the past few weeks, and in a sit-down interview with Sky Sports the 24-year-old has admitted he still has some big dreams with the Reds.
“I don’t want to say I’m going to be captain like that, but I want to be captain of the team,” Jones said.
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“I want to stay here for my whole life as like the man who I look up to in in every way: Gerrard.
“Everybody knows in terms of even now the boots that I’m wearing and just how he conducted himself and how he is, and if I go and speak with staff that have worked with him, just how he was seen. So, yeah, if I could follow him that would be that would be great.”
Reports have suggested that Jones is becoming more of a leader within the Liverpool dressing room, and if he carries on in that way, who knows, he could one day become captain.
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Richarlison warms up ahead of Tottenham's UEFA Champions League match against Slavia Prague at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images). Richarlison argues with Virgil van Dijk during Tottenham's Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
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But even if the academy graduate never dons the armband for his boyhood club, he has a real chance of never leaving.
Jones may need to review expectations
Although he could still cement himself as part of Liverpool’s best XI moving forward, Jones may need to readjust his expectations slightly if he is to stay at Anfield for his full career.
During his five-and-a-half seasons in the first team so far, he has always been an excellent squad player; someone who could step in and give you 15 or 20 Premier League starts per year.
While Jones clearly wants more than this, Liverpool will always have a need for those types of players. If he accepts the role and the peaks and troughs that come with it, he has a chance at remaining a Red through his whole career.
However, there is also a chance that Jones wants more. Liverpool may not be able to give that to him.
So, while he will never be Gerrard – and the captaincy could even elude him – Jones really could see out his full career with Liverpool. The keys to that particular dream are very much in his hands.
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