The Academy Graduate Who Impressed Arne Slot in Pre-season Can Save Liverpool £50m in Transfer Costs

Arne Slot has yet to make a signing as Liverpool’s manager this transfer window, but he may not need to seek a new midfield addition if he continues to utilize an academy graduate who has impressed during pre-season.

Curtis Jones could provide the solution to Slot’s midfield conundrum following Liverpool’s failed pursuit of midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Slot has been focused on strengthening the midfield since his appointment, with Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi being a key target in recent discussions.

Despite Liverpool’s efforts, Zubimendi turned down their offer, as he had previously done with both Barcelona and Arsenal. This setback has left Liverpool searching for alternatives in the transfer market.

Nevertheless, Jones, an academy product, has caught Slot’s attention during pre-season and might be the answer to the midfield issue. With Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai expected to secure their positions in the midfield, Jones could potentially take on the holding role.

Jones, who was included in Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euro 2024 squad, is more accustomed to playing in the outside midfield roles. However, Slot’s confidence in the 23-year-old was evident when he started Jones in a deeper role against Arsenal during pre-season.

Jones was part of a midfield trio alongside Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott, but was substituted at halftime for a more defensive player, Wataru Endo. He has played in every one of the club’s summer friendlies, even though he didn’t assume the defensive role in all of them.

These nods are a clear indicator that Slot has been impressed by Jones, who has admitted he’s open to adapting his game.

“He’s amazing,” stated Jones when queried about his time under Slot so far. “It’s probably the happiest I’ve been in terms of a style of play that suits me.

“It’s a clear plan in training and he’s fully involved, coaching us a lot. He’s big on the finer details.

“He’s got a certain way of playing – he knows it will take time as it’s a big change, but him and his staff are chilled about it as they know the quality is all there.

“I feel like my way of playing has been to get on the ball and play, being comfortable on the ball. But then I came around a team that had world-class players and I was played on the wing or up front.

“The central midfielders were always more runners and disciplined. Those principles are the same but the central midfielder will be more the heart of the team.

“It’s always been a hard time coming around the team as a young lad, and I always had a certain way of playing, but I had to adapt and change. That was part of the plan, and it was something I could do. But I feel this is more me, I can get on the ball more. I’m excited.”

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