It was an up and down season for the first-team’s remaining Scouser, who’s next move may boil down to a number of crucial factors over the summer.
As far as Liverpool careers go, the path of Curtis Jones remains something of an enigma.
There have been times when his spot in the middle of the park hasn’t been in question and other points at which you’ve struggled to see where his next start is coming from.
The 2025/26 season, in many ways, epitomised the ebb and flow nature of his professional years, with his immediate Anfield future now under greater threat than ever before.
Started28
As Sub21
Unused3
Goals3
Assists3
Total Apps49
Another year on the periphery
On the face of it, you may be surprised to learn that 2025/26 yielded more appearances (49) for the Reds’ No. 17 than ever before.
You’ll likely be less shocked to discover that just short of half of those outings came from the subs bench, with Jones’ first league start at Anfield not coming until the forgettable 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the end of November.
Some of the 25-year-old’s better work came in the domestic cups, with three goal contributions in two games helping Liverpool on their way to a quarter-final spot before the dour exit that ensued at the Etihad.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones (L) and Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. Forest won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Despite experiencing perhaps the biggest drop-off of all the champions, Alexis Mac Allister’s place in the Liverpool midfield appeared almost sacrosanct as far as the league was concerned, often at the expense of Jones himself.
That, combined with more recent reports of a falling out with Arne Slot have pointed towards a likely exit and one would suspect any decision made by the player in terms of a move could hinge on whatever decision is made on the manager’s future.
Paradoxically, Jones initially raised eyebrows two years ago when he spoke in such glowing terms about how the new manager’s style ‘suited’ him to a degree that almost sounded disparaging of Jurgen Klopp.
Now, that very relationship could well be the catalyst for a premature exit.
Right-back renaissance
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates with team-mate Curtis Jones (L) after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Following in the footsteps of Dominik Szoboszlai earlier on in the season, Jones became the latest in a long line of Liverpool players to occupy the right-back in the absence of fit, reliable options towards the back end of the campaign.
After a somewhat frantic start, the reimagined midfielder quickly grew into the role at the cauldron of the Hill Dickinson in early April to an extent that highlighted what could be missed from a squad perspective.
With Liverpool’s ensuing homegrown conundrum, the club could be left to rue any potential departure if that is indeed how the next couple of months play out.
While by no means a sustainable alternative at right-back, the versatility and willingness to get his hands dirty have demonstrated what could yet be lost and replacing that will only add to the work needing to be done in the market.
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)
Whether the change at the top could repair any residual damage caused by purported disagreements with Slot remains to be seen, but it would be a real shame on a sentimental level to see another lifelong Liverpudlian walk out the door regardless of the terms.
The unwavering self-belief Jones has always carried throughout his time at Liverpool has kept him in the senior picture for longer than many other academy graduates may have had the patience for.
A drawback of this superpower is the missed opportunities along the way. While he has never been without his critics during his time at the club, the midfielder has always shouldered responsibility with the professionalism and humility required to make it at the top.
What next?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
You’d be forgiven for thinking he was older given how long it has been since announcing himself to the football world with that strike against Everton back in 2020, but still aged just 25, plenty of his best years are still in front of him.
Whether those years are given to his boyhood team remains to be seen, but if the current gap between Liverpool and Arsenal has proved anything, it is that depth is more important than ever if you’re harbouring any ambitions of staying competitive.
He was one of few to emerge with credit from a dismal 1-1 draw to Chelsea that perfectly encapsulated the squad’s fragility in the penultimate home outing.
Still, there has been sufficient evidence of defensive shortcomings to suggest this was never going to be a long-term solution to the ongoing right-back puzzle.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, March 9, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
Liverpool have and should always strive to build the best possible midfield and if Jones doesn’t fit what the manager deems that to be then there is always a chance he stays tantalisingly on the outskirts.
Ultimately, it became another season of ‘what if’ for the boy from Toxteth and his summer may involve some soul-searching if there is to be any development on that front in future years.
Best moment: Netting a clincher against Wolves in the FA Cup last 16 to keep hopes of silverware alive back in March.
Worst moment: A bleak 90-minute showing in the round that followed away to Man City, one of many culprits that day.
Role next season: Should he stay, you’d suspect it becomes one last shot at firmly establishing himself within the first-team set up. If not, he goes with all our best wishes.