'He wanted': Former Liverpool coach shares why Jurgen Klopp never chose to loan out Curtis Jones
03/29/2025 05:00 AM
Liverpool have seen some top talent come through their academy over the years.
Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all success stories on Merseyside, while the Premier League leaders continue to produce some top players that may become first-team regulars in the future.
With Alexander-Arnold set to join Real Madrid this summer, there is now a chance for someone in Arne Slot’s squad to become the face for youngsters in the Liverpool academy to look up to, and that is likely to be Curtis Jones.
While many of Liverpool’s young talent go out on loan to gain some vital experience, just like Alexander-Arnold, Jones was not one of them, and it has now been explained why.
- READ MORE: Curtis Jones believes he has 'changed' at Liverpool this season and credits one person for it
The character of Curtis Jones kept him at Liverpool
Jones has been a key player for Liverpool under both Jurgen Klopp and Slot as his versatility has been very useful to both coaches on Merseyside. However, the midfielder has yet to establish himself as a starter at Anfield, which is the next step for the 24-year-old.
Maybe that step might have been taken had Jones gone out on loan, but that was not a decision Klopp made while the German coach oversaw the Reds.
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
| 24/25 | 37 | 3 | 7 | 1894 |
| 23/24 | 36 | 5 | 3 | 2032 |
| 22/23 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 1175 |
| 21/22 | 27 | 1 | 4 | 1533 |
Jones has always had a top mentality at Liverpool and his character was often displayed around the Merseyside club, which is one reason why they never sent the midfielder out on loan, Klopp’s former assistant coach Vitor Matos has now stated.
“Curtis (Jones) was never on loan,” Matos told Training Ground Guru. “So it is different decisions regarding the moment of the player, how it will be in terms of space and the player's expectations. Some players are more rushed and prefer to be on loan and playing.
“Curtis had this character that he wanted to prove himself all the time on the first team (at Liverpool), so he never wanted the pathway of proving himself out of Liverpool, so it gives you already one direction. And his exposure in terms of games was always good enough for his development.
“He was having consistency of exposure and at the same time the development was still coming. That gives you the feeling, 'Ok, there is no need' (for a loan). Of course, if there is a Premier League club that will ask him to go on loan, maybe his mind will change.”
The next up-and-coming Liverpool stars
Jones is currently being selected for England squads and it highlights how far the 24-year-old has come and Matos has shared who he thinks may follow the midfielder.
When asked about the player Liverpool fans should keep an eye out for next, Matos stated: “I don't want to rush anyone, because I know how it works in England! He becomes a god in one day and the next is below everything. There are a lot of players already.
“Jayden Danns is outstanding, he has a big talent as a striker. Trey Nyoni is another. I think all these players are there knocking on the door. I will be really happy to see them on the high level. These are the ones to watch for the future.”
Nyoni is certainly a player with a big Liverpool future. As for Danns, the striker may find it tougher to break into the Reds’ starting team, simply as a result of the position he plays in.
