It is arguably his most consistent stretch of form in a Liverpool shirt since the end of the 2022-23 season, when he played an integral part in an 11-game unbeaten run under Jürgen Klopp. While Jones has previously been quick to acknowledge that he is indebted to the German coach for assimilating him into the first team, there is a sense that the midfielder is one of several players to have benefited from the introduction of Slot’s more controlled, possession-based style.
“This is the happiest I have been,” Jones said when asked about life under the Dutchman during Liverpool’s preseason tour of the United States. “Arne is amazing. It is probably the happiest I have been. In terms of a style of play, it suits us and the lads we have. It is a clear plan. He is fully involved in the training, coaches us a lot, he’s big on the finer details.”
Despite Slot’s insistence that he is not wedded to any particular formation, his deviation away from the 4-3-3 system traditionally deployed by Klopp to a 4-2-3-1, with two midfielders shielding the backline, seems to lend itself to Jones’ skillset. And, so far, he has shown himself to be adept at playing both as a No. 10 and in a slightly deeper-lying role.
From the perspective of the Liverpool boss, however, it is developments in Jones’ private life — notably the birth of his first child in October — which are to thank for his upturn in form.
“With Curtis it is maybe not me who did it but because he became a father — and I had nothing to do with that!” Slot said earlier this month. “You never know if that plays a part or not, but since the moment he became a father he started putting in great performances.
“He already did this in the first few weeks that we worked together in preseason — I was like ‘wow, quality player’ — but then his performances dropped. But since the moment he became a father he was outstanding again. I think it might have to do with that a bit, but in general it has to do with how the team plays.”
Now Jones has added a later of maturity and shown that he has what it takes to mix it with the best, the recognition will keep on coming. And don’t be surprised to see him playing a crucial role for club and country in the coming months.
