Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has struggled to maintain his early-season form, proving too costly for Arne Slot and his teammates. The Reds drew 2-2 with Aston Villa in the last away game at Villa Park, dropping another two crucial points.
Liverpool have suffered numerous draws in the Premier League since the start of 2025, hurting their current Premier League point-gap. The Reds have an eight-point lead over second-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand to decrease the gap further.
Jones earned a first-team promotion under the guidance of legendary manager Jurgen Klopp, earning numerous chances to establish himself. The 24-year-old suffered from nagging injuries throughout his young career that hampered his chance to have consistent first-team appearances.
The 24-year-old always enjoyed unconditional support from the Liverpool fanbase as a local kid coming from the academy. However, that goodwill is gradually declining despite the well-established consensus over his technical abilities to control the ball in congested areas.
Statistical analysis of Curtis Jones’ performance against Aston Villa
Slot deployed Jones on the left flank against the Villans and eventually played him centrally in the game’s second half. However, Liverpool lacked control and lost many duels which helped Villa capitalize and shift momentum despite the Reds’ early lead.
According to Fotmob, Jones enjoyed 92% passing accuracy but only made a total of 24 passes, playing the full game. Jones had only 37 touches with 50% successful dribbles (two) and was dispossessed once during the game.
The 24-year-old lost six out of 11 duels during the game, earning one foul and committing a foul once. Defensively, Jones completed five defensive actions, three recoveries one block and one interception while winning one out of two tackles. Furthermore, Villa players twice dribbled past Jones, showcasing their ease in beating the midfielder in duels and offensive situations.
Liverpool’s midfield failed to maintain significant control of possession as the Reds enjoyed only 48% possession during the game. What makes this stat more terrible is the fact that Slot deployed four midfielders which should have provided Liverpool with more control.
Consistency: Liverpool cannot afford any “three good months a season” player
Jones has all the qualities to become an elite midfield player worthy of representing the Liverpool jersey every week. However, at 24 years of age, the England international has showcased a high level of performance in phases.
Last season, Jones suffered the same problems under Klopp that he is currently facing under Slot. The 24-year-old started the season strongly and then gradually faded away, putting in few big performances amid mediocrity.
Liverpool cannot afford to have one of their key midfielders drop his performances so frequently. Slot has rotated Jones with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch in numerous games, maintaining his trust.
If Liverpool suffered the same fate they did during the latter end of the last season, the staff and management would need to make changes accordingly in the summer. As things stand, the Reds lack sufficient depth in midfield to rotate Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch effectively.
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With Jones performing so unreliably, he would become a potential casualty in the transfer market to balance the midfield. Consistency is a key aspect that the 24-year-old is lacking considerably and as he has reached the peak year of his career, the scrutiny will become higher.
Liverpool fans want Jones to succeed at the club and establish himself as a regular player, but in the end, only he can make that happen.
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