Andoni Iraola's arrival muddies waters for Liverpool man after fresh transfer hint
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As the summer of 2026 prepares to truly begin with the kick-off of the World Cup this week, Curtis Jones will believe he stands at a crossroads.Omitted from the England squad by Thomas Tuchel, the Liverpool midfielder is only one of several high-profile figures who have been left out of the Three Lions' contingent, with their campaign beginning when they meet Croatia in Dallas, Texas on June 17.More pressing for Jones, however, is not what lies in store for his long-term international prospects but what awaits his short-term club career.It's an open secret that last season was a difficult one for Jones, as it was for all of his Liverpool colleagues. Several of them have spoken publicly about how distraught and bereft they became as the impact of Diogo Jota's death last summer was felt and Jones was no different in that regard.END OF SEASON PROFILES: MILOS KERKEZ / RIO NGUMOHAOn the pitch itself, he found himself unable to gain a consistent run in the side in his favoured midfield role and the fact he ended the campaign as a makeshift right-back owed more to the realisation from now former boss Arne Slot that Dominik Szoboszlai was better served in the centre of the pitch.Jones performed admirably at times in the position and even scored in the FA Cup win over Brighton on Valentine's Day, but a love affair with the role was never on the cards for someone who has always believed, with some conviction, that he is good enough to shine in the engine room of his boyhood club.Inter interest, that became public in late January, has not subsided and speculation from Italy has reached fever pitch in recent days with it claimed the two clubs are still someway short on their valuation of Jones.Speaking at the turn of the year, Slot hinted that contract talks were planned with Jones and his representatives.
That, then, means Liverpool and Jones are at an awkward juncture of their long-standing relationship.Under Fenway Sports Group's ownership, Liverpool have often been relaxed about losing players in their 30s for nothing, believing the likes of Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum are more valuable for the final year of their contracts rather than selling at a reduced fee and replacing at cost.But Jones falls into the same category as Konate, where the idea of losing him for nothing with his prime years to come comes under more scrutiny. It's why this summer is such a critical period where Jones is concerned at Anfield.Jones has been at the club since the age of six, when his school teacher - Mr Stewart of St Vincent de Paul - would ferry the future Premier League winner to the Vernon Sangster for training sessions.
We understand what the developments will be.”It will be interesting to see what Iraola's own personal hopes are for the Jones situation but the idea of a clean slate for all under a new manager, after such a troubled campaign last time out, may yet appeal to a boyhood Liverpool fan who has rarely given off the idea that he is agitating to leave.“I’m excited [for] next season, it should be great," Jones said after the final game of the season last month. Go and play free.”Where exactly Jones will "go and play free" is unclear right now but there is plenty of thinking to do for all concerned.For now, the 25-year-old appears content to enjoy his down-time, with a holiday in Beverly Hills with his partner Saffie and their young daughter followed by a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix over the weekend.But as Jones prepares to sit down and watch the World Cup from his sofa, it will surely be club matters that will dominate his thinking.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!