Frank Christian
Arne Slot has observed that Curtis Jones has transformed since becoming a father, and Liverpool is benefiting from this change.
In Liverpool’s impressive 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, Jones showcased his skills. Despite not starting any Premier League matches until October, the 23-year-old is becoming increasingly important to Slot’s strategy.
Recently, he received a call-up to the England national team after missing out last month due to the birth of his first child.
As Liverpool prepares for their home match against Aston Villa, Slot emphasized that he believes Jones’ improved performance is linked to his new role as a parent.
“Curtis has shown a fighting spirit, something I can’t claim credit for. Since he became a father last month, his performances have been outstanding,” the Dutch manager remarked.
Slot acknowledged that Jones had demonstrated quality in pre-season, although his form dipped slightly before rebounding after becoming a father. He believes the improvement is not solely down to personal circumstances, but also how well the team as a whole is performing.
Jones is now poised to make his senior England debut during the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign after earlier being omitted from Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euro 2024 squad.
Acting England manager Lee Carsley praised Jones for his exceptional talent, noting his pivotal role in last year’s Under-21 European Championship victory.
“He possesses numerous skills on the ball and is not afraid to attempt something extraordinary,” Slot added, agreeing with Carsley’s assessment. He noted that while Jones sometimes appears over-confident, having confidence is crucial. His work ethic is impressive, and he can be relied upon defensively.
Slot highlighted Jones’ strong performance against Cole Palmer during Liverpool’s recent win against Chelsea, emphasizing the need for him to consistently deliver high-level performances moving forward.
