Curtis Jones has played a big part in Liverpool’s three-game revival this April, but it may not be enough to keep him at Anfield next season.
The Scouser has started wins over Everton and Crystal Palace at right-back, impressing with his comfort on the ball and ability to carry Liverpool up the pitch.
The fact that Jones is excelling at full-back is made all the more intriguing by the uncertainty surrounding the position heading into this summer’s transfer market.
Liverpool have been linked with Denzel Dumfries of late, but the signs have been there of late that Jones could be the right-back answer they have been looking for all along. As his Reds career comes to a pivotal crossroads at the end of the season, Liverpool need to have a conversation with Jones about whether he could convert permanently to right-back.
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Jones could be Liverpool’s new right-back
If you asked Jones, he would likely tell you that he deserves a regular place in Liverpool’s midfield. The 25-year-old’s self-confidence has always been a feature of his personality, and his football.
Nevertheless, neither Jurgen Klopp nor Arne Slot have agreed with him on that, and with one year left on his contract and rumours of a move to Inter Milan, Aston Villa or Tottenham, this summer feels like the right time for Jones to seek a starting berth elsewhere.
That is unless Liverpool can sit him down and convince him that he will get the minutes he wants, and can still be a creative fulcrum of the team, from right-back.
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Rewind three years or so, and there was a long debate about whether Trent Alexander-Arnold would move into midfield for Liverpool. Although Klopp tried it here and there, it was ultimately decided that the former No. 66 was able to pull the strings by staying where he was. Jones could do the same.
While it may not be ideal for a player who came through the Liverpool academy as a forward, moving back and accepting a new role could be beneficial for Jones, and for the Reds.
Jones may snub right-back plan
To Jones’ credit, he has regularly stated publicly that he will play wherever needed in order to get minutes for Liverpool.
Despite that, the No. 17 would clearly prefer to play in midfield, where he can see as much of the ball as possible and keep Liverpool ticking over.
As a result, there is a possibility that Jones would reject Slot if he aired the idea of moving him permanently into defence.
He is not a defender by any stretch of the imagination either, so there is of course another element to this. Liverpool may feel they are better off by simply bringing in an orthodox right-back who could give them what they need.
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Florian Wirtz knee slides in celebration after scoring for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
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But if they do sign a new player to challenge Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, he is unlikely to be as comfortable at progressing the ball as Jones.
Liverpool have been noticeably better with him in the team of late, and playing on the wing rather than centrally would also allow Jones a little more freedom to take risks. It could feasibly work for everybody.
This would unquestionably not be Liverpool’s initial plan regarding their right-back situation this summer, but rather than taking an unpopular decision and moving Jones on, they could shift him around and minimise the work they need to do in the market as a result.
Curtis may ultimately decide that he needs to play in midfield – and needs to be a regular starter – and as he will not be doing that at Liverpool, he could well leave in the coming months. But if he’s open to a little change, he could prolong his career with the Reds and become a regular in the XI for years to come.
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