Steven Gerrard has hit the nail on the head when it comes to Liverpool making sure they do not lose their local connection, as he declared he “wouldn’t allow Curtis Jones to leave.”
In recent years, primarily last summer, Liverpool lost a lot of young, local talent with a deep-routed understanding of what it means to play and represent the club.
Tyler Morton, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were among those to depart, and now Jones is heavily linked with a summer exit ahead of contract expiring in 2027.
The midfielder has been readily overlooked as a midfield starter and has only recently earned a consistent place at right-back, but links to the likes of Inter Milan persist.
While speaking on BFM Radio in Kuala Lumpur, Gerrard was asked why Scouse players are essential for Liverpool, and his argument will resonate with many who are concerned about the club’s direction.
“I think the academy system at our club is crucial and vital,” Gerrard started. “It’s important we keep producing homegrown talents.
“I think naturally, being around the city, growing up in the city, we understand the demands of the club, the style, what the fans want.
“It’s embedded in us because we know the city inside out.
“I wouldn’t allow Curtis Jones to leave. I wished and hoped that Trent didn’t leave us.
“Certainly, you’ll understand and respect every player has got their own career and can make their own decisions.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Friday, March 6, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones celebrates after scoring the third goal during the FA Cup 5th Round match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Molineux. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“But it’s very difficult to replace a player at Trent’s level because he’s world-class. Hopefully, hopefully, he might return one day.”
While not everyone will agree on that last point from Gerrard, they will recognise the importance of homegrown players throughout Liverpool’s past, even those who did not become the ‘star’ players.
“I think it’s critical and key that we keep producing homegrown talent, and what you do have to say is that Liverpool have been really good at that,” Gerrard added.
“If you look back, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Trent, myself, even the likes of players like Jay Spearing and Stephen Warnock who don’t play the [same] amount of games, but they still come into the team and they understand the values and the principles of what we’re about.”
Curtis Jones contract talks on hold
Mohamed Salah put Liverpool in front in his final Merseyside derby before celebrating with Curtis Jones (Nick Potts/PA)
Jones has been with the club since the age of nine, but last signed a new contract in 2022, meaning he will become a free agent next summer.
He, along with eight other Liverpool players, have one year left on their deal and will, understandably, be assessing their options.
It has been reported that Jones’ preference is to stay at Liverpool “if he could be the main man,” but with contract talks on hold, that future is not currently in the reckoning.
Inter continue to be linked to the 25-year-old, and you can only hope the club listen to Gerrard’s advice.