Jones has been the subject of speculation this summer with a possible exit on the cards. But Reds boss Iraola has been urged to keep the midfielder or risk making an error in allowing his departure.
12:52, 17 Jul 2026Updated 12:53, 17 Jul 2026
Paris, France - April 8: Curtis Jones of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes on April 8, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Curtis Jones continues to be linked with a move away from Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has been advised to keep hold of Curtis Jones amid speculation linking the midfielder with a Liverpool exit.
That is the view of former Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer who has warned that allowing Jones to leave would be a big mistake. The 25-year-old has spent his entire career at Anfield and understands the demands and requirements to play for a club the size of the Reds.
And despite rumours suggesting Jones may be on the hunt for a new club after a difficult period under ex-boss Arne Slot, McAteer has urged new boss Iraola to keep the England cap around as he offers stability at a time the club needs it most. Or it could be a mistake to let him go.
"The trouble with Curtis, I feel, is his relationship with the managers he's played for," McAteer told Betarades.gr. "I often felt under Jurgen, I think Jurgen loved him but didn't trust him.
"I think Slot just didn't trust him. I don't think that was a great relationship. I think things were going on behind the scenes that upset Curtis. Obviously now with all the noise, there's an argument for Curtis to leave the football club.
"I think it would be a mistake. Like I've said before, Liverpool has a DNA, it has a culture. You need players that know those two things, especially for Iraola, a new manager. And just to talk about the broader structure of the club, there's a lot of uncertainty and instability right now. You've got a new manager coming in, the sporting director's just left, Richard Hughes looks like he's going to leave after the window.
"There's a lot of uncertainty around Liverpool and in this period, the club needs stability. You need that running through the football club, off it and on it. And I would say, around the dressing room, on and off it is through Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones.
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola(Image: Getty Images)
"I would keep Curtis Jones and if it doesn't work out, the window opens in January and if Curtis wants to move on, or the club doesn't want him, I'm sure there will be negotiations."
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Jones has played 228 times across all competitions for his boyhood club and that experience is valuable for an ever-changing squad with a new manager looking to implement fresh ideas.
McAteer accepts that Jones does have his drawbacks in the engine room and areas he can always improve. But he reckons if the player can be guided by Iraola to make best use of the talents he does have, he could potentially become a key player for the boss.
"He does have his flaws," the pundit added. "I do think at times he keeps hold of the ball a little bit too long, he slows it down a little bit too much at times. But his skillset is phenomenal, he sees a pass, his control is fantastic, he can speed it up when he wants to. He can execute a range of passes and he can nick a goal."