Curtis Jones (footballer)

1.1. Childhood and youth

Curtis Julian Jones was born on 30 January 2001 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, and grew up in the Toxteth area of the city. He is of Nigerian descent through his grandmother. Jones joined Liverpool's academy at the age of nine. In 2013, he traveled to Japan to participate in the U-12 Junior Soccer World Challenge.

2.1. Youth and early professional career

Jones joined Liverpool at the age of nine, rising through the ranks of the academy. He made his U23s debut in January 2018 and signed his first professional contract with the club on 1 February 2018. Towards the end of the 2017-18 season, Jones trained regularly at Melwood, Liverpool's training ground. He was named in Liverpool's squad for the Premier League match against Everton on 7 April 2018, being included on the substitute bench though he did not make an appearance.

Jones featured prominently for Liverpool during pre-season ahead of the 2018-19 season. Manager Jürgen Klopp praised his mobility and dribbling skills. Jones realized a childhood dream when he made his first-team debut on 7 January 2019, starting in the 2018-19 FA Cup third round match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

2.2. Breakthrough season: 2019-20

Jones made his season debut and played in his second competitive match for the club on 25 September 2019 in a 2019-20 EFL Cup match against Milton Keynes Dons. He was chosen as man of the match for his performance in Liverpool's 2-0 victory. He then scored the winning penalty in Liverpool's penalty shoot-out victory against Arsenal in the EFL Cup fourth round. Jones made his Premier League debut on 7 December 2019, coming on as a substitute against AFC Bournemouth.

On 5 January 2020, Jones was part of a Liverpool team largely made up of teenagers and reserves that beat rivals Everton 1-0 at home in the 2019-20 FA Cup. Jones scored the winning goal - his first for the club - with a curling shot from 20 yd. At 18 years and 340 days, Jones became the youngest goalscorer in a Merseyside derby since Robbie Fowler scored for Liverpool in 1994. In the next round three weeks later, he opened the scoring in a 2-2 draw away to Shrewsbury Town, becoming the first teenager to score in consecutive appearances for Liverpool since Raheem Sterling in April 2014. On 5 February 2020, Jones became Liverpool's youngest captain at 19 years and 5 days, when he captained Liverpool's youngest ever first-team starting line-up, with an average age of 19 years and 102 days, to a 1-0 home victory over Shrewsbury in an FA Cup replay.

On 4 July 2020, Jones signed a new long-term contract with the club. He scored his first league goal for the club a day later after coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa. On 22 July, Jones came off the bench against Chelsea for his fifth top-flight appearance in the 2019-20 season with Liverpool, thus qualifying for a Premier League winner's medal. On 30 July, Jones was named the Premier League 2 Player of the Season for 2019-20.

2.3. Continued development: 2020-2023

For the 2020-21 season, Jones' shirt number was changed to 17. On 24 September 2020, Jones scored two goals in four minutes against Lincoln City away in the 2020-21 EFL Cup, and was named man of the match. He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal on 1 December in a 1-0 victory over Ajax, sealing Liverpool's progression into the knockout stages of the competition. On 28 February 2021, Jones scored his first league goal of the 2020-21 season in a 2-0 away win over Sheffield United.

Jones scored his first goal of the 2021-22 season on 25 September 2021 in a 3-3 away draw against Brentford. On 28 September, he provided two assists and a key pass in a 5-1 away win over Porto in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League. Liverpool narrowly missed out on the chance to achieve a historic quadruple in the 2021-22 season, coming second in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, but winning both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup. On 17 November 2022, Jones signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool until June 2027.

On 30 April 2023, Jones scored his first goal of the 2022-23 season in a 4-3 win against Tottenham Hotspur. On 15 May 2023, Jones continued his good form as a regular starter in the first team with a quick-fire brace against relegation threatened Leicester City in a man-of-the-match performance to guide Liverpool to a 3-0 away victory. At the end of the 2022-23 season, Liverpool narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification.

2.4. Recent seasons: 2023-present

In the 2023-24 season, Jones was a regular starter; however, a suspension and an injury occurring in October and November allowed Ryan Gravenberch to take his place for a number of games. Commenting on his recent surge of confidence, Jones stated that he was "at the point now where" he was "in the team" and where he knew what he "[had] to do". Assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders attributed Jones' impressive recent return to form to his "Scouse mentality". On 30 September, Jones was controversially sent off in a Premier League away match against Tottenham Hotspur for a foul on Yves Bissouma. The foul was originally awarded a yellow card by referee Simon Hooper but was upgraded to a red card after he was shown a still image of the foul by the video assistant referee. The decision was criticised by many pundits including Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp.

Jones scored his first goals of the 2023-24 season in a 5-1 win over West Ham United at the quarter-final stage of the EFL Cup on 20 December 2023. On 1 January 2024, Jones scored his first Premier League goal of the 2023-24 season in Liverpool's 4-2 home victory over Newcastle United. He also scored in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Fulham on 10 January 2024, which Liverpool won 2-1. On 28 January 2024, Jones found the net in Liverpool's 5-2 FA Cup fourth round win over Norwich City.

On 20 October 2024, Jones scored his first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season in a 2-1 win against Chelsea at Anfield.

3.1. Youth national teams

Jones has represented England at various youth levels, including the U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-21 teams. He made his debut for the England national under-21 team on 7 October 2020 in a 3-3 draw against Andorra. He scored his first goal for the under-21s during a 3-1 home win over Andorra on 13 November. Jones was a member of the squad that was eliminated at the group stage of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and scored in their last game against Croatia.

On 14 June 2023, Jones was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. On 8 July 2023, Jones was credited with the winning goal in the final against Spain after Cole Palmer's free kick deflected off him into the goal. He was named the man of the match for the final, which saw England win the tournament for the first time since 1984. His performances during the competition resulted in him being chosen by the UEFA Technical Observer panel for their team of the tournament.

3.2. Senior national team

On 21 May 2024, Jones received his first senior call-up as part of the 33-player preliminary squad for UEFA Euro 2024. However, he was later cut from the final 26-man squad. He was called up by Lee Carsley for the UEFA Nations League ties in November 2024. On 14 November 2024, Jones earned his first England cap against Greece, and scored his first senior England goal with a backheel flick into the far corner in a UEFA Nations League match, which England won 3-0.

4.1. Characteristics and strengths

Jones is regarded as a tenacious, silky, and lively player. He typically plays as a central midfielder, but can also operate as a winger or attacking midfielder. He was described as being in his best form in the second half of the 2022-23 season. He is praised for his high football intelligence, his ability to beat the opposition's press, and his capacity to create and finish goal-scoring opportunities. His style blends passing ability with a keen eye for goal.

5.1. Family and personal relationships

In October 2024, Jones and his partner Saffron Khan announced the birth of their first child, a daughter named Giselle.

Early in his career, Jones held Steven Gerrard, a Liverpool legend, in extremely high regard, comparing him to a combination of Diego Maradona and Mother Teresa. Gerrard, who coached Liverpool's U-18 team, motivated Jones to perform well in the junior teams as both shared the "Scouser" identity. Since Gerrard's departure, Jones has captained the U-19 and U-23 teams and embraced the responsibility. James Milner later took on a mentorship role, providing motivation and guiding Jones in his professional development.

6.1. Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

6.2. International

Jones has made 2 appearances for the senior England national team, scoring 1 goal.

His youth international career includes:

• England U-16: 6 appearances, 1 goal (2016-2017)
• England U-17: 3 appearances, 0 goals (2017)
• England U-18: 10 appearances, 1 goal (2018-2019)
• England U-19: 4 appearances, 0 goals (2019)
• England U-21: 20 appearances, 5 goals (2020-2024)

Appearances and goals by national team and year

List of international goals scored by Curtis Jones

7.1. Club honours

Liverpool

• Premier League: 2019-20
• FA Cup: 2021-22
• EFL Cup: 2021-22, 2023-24
• FA Community Shield: 2022
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2019
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2021-22
• UEFA Super Cup: 2019

7.2. International honours

England U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2023

7.3. Individual honours

• Premier League 2 Player of the Season: 2019-20
• UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2023
• UAE Sports Chain Cup Player of the Tournament: 2019