Curtis Jones to lay down Liverpool contract marker

Liverpool were delivered two new injuries following the international window.

On Friday Arne Slot confirmed that both Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley would be absent for the weekend Premier League match against Nottingham Forest.

Bradley - like fellow right-back Jeremie Frimpong - is now expected to be out for up to three weeks and seven fixtures. Wirtz should be back before then if his recovery progresses well.

Arne Slot has used Dominik Szoboszlai at No10 as well as an emergency right-back this season. Liverpool have looked better when he’s played in his usual midfield station - and it looks like Arne Slot will play the Hungary captain at attacking midfield this weekend.

Jones to start versus Forest

It means a position opens up at right-back.

While Slot may opt to throw in Calvin Ramsay or Joe Gomez - it seems logical that he would use Curtis Jones there instead.

The 24-year-old has only started two Premier League matches so far this season and has got a couple of big reasons to want to kick on now.

We are led to believe that Thomas Tuchel is set to make a call regarding Jones’ participation at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Jones needs games to get back in England fold

He has been overtaken by Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton in the England midfield reckoning.

He needs a run of games to once again re-establish his credentials in front of the England manager. And if that run starts at right-back so be it.

Jones has got more in common with Trent Alexander-Arnold in that position than he does with Conor Bradley or even Jeremie Frimpong.

Slot can use him as an extra midfielder in the build-up with his vision and sharp passing set to be very useful against Palace.

Jones' contract up in 2027

And then there’s the matter of Jones’ contract.

He is out of contract in 2027 and it’s been unusually quiet over the prospect of a new deal coming. Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have jumped the queue among Liverpool’s midfielders - with talks said to be underway over new deals for the pair.

It’s important for Jones not to be forgotten about - especially at such a crucial time for his future. He really needs to kick on and remind Slot of his qualities if he wants a deal on his terms.

Jones has played well for the Reds this season -especially against Newcastle away in the league and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

And while it’s unlikely he will budge Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister out of the midfield for this weekend it could well prove to be an important audition in more ways than one.

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