In a recent interview with Football Insider, former England international Kevin Phillips urged Liverpool to send Curtis Jones out on loan next season when he said,
“Jones has had a taste of first-team action in the cup games and a couple of substitute appearances in the Premier League and he has learned from the best whilst in training.
“Now, it is time to get out there and start developing. But it is about picking the right club where he is going to play week in week out. Hopefully, like Wilson, he comes back in a year a far better player. Then he can challenge for a place in the first eleven.
“It will be exciting to see how he develops over the next 18 months. It is all about finding the club that suits the player.”
Jones’ Rapid Emergence At Merseyside This Season
Jones has finally managed to break into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team this season after showing a few glimpses of his potential at Anfield so far. He scored with a memorable strike from long range in the Merseyside derby earlier this year which knocked Everton out of the FA Cup. That goal would live long in the memories of the Premier League club’s loyal supporters as it came from ‘a local lad’ who was born and brought up at Liverpool.
The 19-year-old has made eight senior appearances for the Reds this term, scoring two goals across all competitions. However, he has often been starved of first-team opportunities because of the remarkable consistency of the Liverpool starting XI. So maybe a temporary change of scenery this summer could help Jones get some valuable first-team experience under his belt next season, similar to what Harry Wilson has been experiencing in recent seasons. He could even come back stronger than ever as a better version of himself if Klopp allows him to go out on a season-long loan spell when the transfer window reopens later this year.
What Makes The English Whizkid Such An Exceptional Prospect?
The Liverpool academy graduate is currently the captain of the Merseyside club’s Under-23 side, having registered nine goals and five assists in 14 appearances for them in the Premier League 2 this season. Jones has shown time and time again that he has the potential to become a future star for his boyhood club. However, that can only happen if he can get enough opportunities to showcase what he is capable of at the highest level.
What makes Jones such a unique talent is his versatility to play in multiple positions across the midfield. He has primarily been used as a box to box midfielder but can also fill in as a left-winger if required. The Liverpool whizkid has also represented England at various youth levels but is yet to make his debut for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side at the senior level.
Jones is a moderately paced midfielder and can make driving runs with the ball in the opposition half. For a player so young, he has a good football IQ and can be a matured presence at the centre of the park. Furthermore, the youngster has shown this season that he can score the odd goal if given time and space to unleash a rocket from long distance.
Should Klopp Send Jones Out On Loan To Further His Development Next Season?
With all the promise that the talented teenager has displayed during this campaign, Klopp would be wise to listen to Kevin Phillips’ advice by temporarily sending Jones out to a club where he would be guaranteed regular playing minutes in the upcoming campaign.
