'Made me realise': Curtis Jones believes he has 'changed' under Arne Slot and credits one person for it

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The last two seasons have been big for the career of Curtis Jones.

Having come through the Reds’ academy the 24-year-old has gone from being a fringe player to a crucial part of the Merseyside club’s squad.

Although Jones is yet to become a nailed-on starter under Arne Slot, the Dutch coach has the England international high up in his pecking order.

Slot trusted Jones to play as a forward against Man City last month and the natural midfielder thrived in the role, putting in one of his best performances of the season at the Etihad.

Ahead of the Carabao Cup final, Jones is in contention to start against Newcastle as Slot looks for solutions to replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

This would be a big boost for the 24-year-old in a season in which the midfielder believes he has ‘changed’.

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Curtis Jones credits one person for changing him at Liverpool

This season is on course to be a memorable one for Jones as the midfielder looks set to add more Premier League and Carabao Cup medals to his collection.

This is in addition to playing his first games for England and the 24-year-old has been called up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad to play for the Three Lions during the next international break.

However, all of this pales in comparison to the Liverpool star becoming a father last year, as Jones believes the birth of his daughter has “changed” him over the last few months.

"Becoming a dad has changed me,” Jones told The Athletic ahead of the Carabao Cup final. “It's made me realise there's more to life than being a footballer. The most important thing now is being a great dad and making sure that the home is always a happy place for the baby.

"Having my own child also helps when things aren't going so well because I go home, I see her and I don't want to bring my work life home with me.

"I could score a hat-trick or have a bad game, but as soon as I see her, I forget all those other things around me. It's all about spending time bonding with her."

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Curtis Jones ‘happy’ with life under Arne Slot

From a footballing point of view, Jones also credits the arrival of Slot for helping him to improve as a player this season at Liverpool.

The midfielder feels that the Dutch coach’s style suits his game and the 24-year-old believes that he has the full trust of the coaching staff at the Merseyside club, which will fill him with confidence.

"I could see from the first week's training sessions that Arne was big on playing small-sided games," Jones stated about his first impressions of the new Liverpool boss.

"It was more the kind of sessions where I could show myself. I'm the kind of player who wants to take risks on the ball.

“I want to give you the ball but I want it back as well. I'm just a lad in love with the game. I love having a ball at my feet. When sessions are like that, I've got the best chance of showing my best.”

The midfielder continued by saying: "I'm pleased with the consistency I've shown this season. This season, I've done it, playing well game after game.

“It comes with the trust of the staff who came in. They see how well I train every day. I'm happy that I've gained their trust."

Jones will continue having an impact on Liverpool’s season throughout the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign and will hope to carry that into next term.

Becoming a nailed-on starter is the next goal for Jones and given the progress he has shown at Anfield, there is no reason why he can’t achieve this next season.