Despite being one of the “crispest passers” in the league, Curtis Jones is reportedly frustrated by Arne Slot’s selection calls, with Inter Milan and Spurs on high alert.
Liverpool’s narrow victory over Sunderland may have steadied the ship, but it has failed to silence the growing frustration at Anfield. While Arne Slot prefers to stick to a rigid core group, his treatment of “fringe” players is starting to draw parallels to the exiled Harvey Elliott.
The latest star to find himself in the “cold storage” is none other than Curtis Jones. Despite his high work rate and tactical intelligence, the 25-year-old is reportedly enduring the same lack of faith that saw Elliott loaned out to a “rotten” spell at Aston Villa.
The “Elliott Treatment” Explained
Harvey Elliott’s move to Villa Park—intended to be a career springboard—has turned into a nightmare, with the playmaker managing just 13 minutes of football since September. Now, Liverpool writer Sam McGuire suggests Jones is suffering a similar fate under Slot’s regime.
Despite many fans believing Jones should be starting ahead of an underperforming Alexis Mac Allister, the England international has been relegated to the bench for the last four Premier League outings.
By The Numbers: Jones’ Stagnation
For a player entering his prime, the minutes on the pitch simply don’t match his “press-resistant” quality.
Curtis Jones: Premier League Minutes Profile:
- 2025/26 Season: 1,092 minutes (Only 10 starts)
- 24/25 Season: 1,711 minutes
- Market Value: £42 million
- Contract Status: Less than 18 months remaining.
Interest from Europe’s Elite
Slot’s reluctance to hand Jones a starring role in the engine room has not gone unnoticed. Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur both registered interest during the January window, and while Liverpool blocked a mid-season exit, the summer looks increasingly like the end of the road for the midfielder.
The Verdict: A Brewing Crisis?
With Wataru Endo potentially out for the season and the squad’s depth “shorn to the bone,” Slot’s refusal to trust players like Jones or Calvin Ramsay is baffling to the Anfield faithful.
Jones is a player who “puts 110% into every action,” yet he remains a luxury substitute. If the £42m-rated star decides to seek a “fresh start” where his tools are truly utilized, Liverpool risk losing a much-loved local hero—just as they did with Elliott. For Slot, the “Elliott treatment” might solve a selection headache today, but it’s creating a massive recruitment crisis for tomorrow.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
