Curtis Jones’ influence was clear once again after standing out during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.
The Scouser was excellent in Milan in midweek, which in itself followed on from an eye-catching performance against Leeds United.
Jones‘ introduction into the Liverpool midfield has led to a better run of results from the Reds, and while he is not the only reason for the uptick in form, it is no coincidence that Liverpool look better when the 24-year-old is involved.
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Saturday marked Jones’ 200th appearance for the Reds, an impressive milestone for a Liverpool academy graduate.
After being told that he is the youngest midfielder since Steven Gerrard to reach a double century, Jones suggested that he potentially wouldn’t have played a single game for the first-team had it not been for Liverpool’s legendary former captain.
Steven Gerrard ‘had a pop’ at a young Curtis Jones
After hanging up his boots, Gerrard returned to coach Liverpool’s U18 side in 2017. There, he found a young Jones at the centre of everyone’s attention.
A confident and headstrong teenager, Jones was the star of the show for Gerrard’s team. But as Liverpool’s No. 17 told LFCTV on Saturday it took some strong words from his fellow Scouser to bring him down to earth.
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“Steven has obviously been a huge part of my career and life,” Jones said. “And I say life because he was probably the first man to really have a pop at me at the academy! And just changed me to think, ‘yeah, I’m not better than anybody else.’
“It was a reality check in terms of the way I played and the role that he gave me. Steven would be the first to say that once I overcame a thing where I complicate things and thought I was the man because I had a [number] 10 on my back and things like that, I’d be the first man he’d pick on his team. That came with him.
“I’d always been a kid that was top of the age group and at times I’d become a little bit passive I’d say,” Jones added. “And Steven was the first one to give me a real, real check. Coming from a man like him who played the game, who I idolised, I thought I’ve got to change if it’s him that’s telling me.”
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“From there he stuck with me and I stuck with him and we worked. A year after I’m around the first team and I’m stood here now on 200 games, so he’s obviously a man that I’d like to thank as well.”
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Although Gerrard was clearly right to give Jones a reality check, that does not mean he totally lost his swagger and arrogance on the pitch.
The England international has just the right amount of ego and mixes that with a tenacity which Liverpool supporters love to see.
| Seasons | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2018/19 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019/20 | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020/21 | 34 | 4 | 5 |
| 2021/22 | 27 | 1 | 3 |
| 2022/23 | 23 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | 36 | 5 | 3 |
| 2024/25 | 46 | 3 | 6 |
| 2025/26 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
Over the years, Jones has often looked on the verge of securing his place in the Reds’ XI, only for injury to disrupt his progress.
Turning 25 in January, now feels like a good time for him to put that all behind him and make himself vital to Arne Slot’s new system.
The diamond midfield certainly suits Jones, and if he can keep himself fit there is no reason he should not keep his place in the team. Gerrard knew he had a gem in Jones, and his words of advice and encouragement have helped shape a superb local player for fans to be proud of.
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