Around six years after featuring in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign when they accumulated 99 points, Curtis Jones had spoken optimistically about his imminent opportunity arriving.
During a video conference with the ECHO as part of Nike’s fresh collaboration with the Reds during July 2020, the midfielder expressed tremendous enthusiasm about what lay ahead following a remarkable period operating on the periphery of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
He stated his eagerness to eventually secure a regular starting spot and help the club achieve victories, expressing a desire to establish himself as a city legend.
With the 25-year-old now preparing to end his association spanning approximately two decades with the club, the question arises as to whether he departs having achieved legendary status in his own estimation.
The city-centre-born player will likely consider his time at Anfield a successful chapter, particularly as he moves to Italian heavyweights Inter in search of fresh opportunities.
His collection of accolades certainly supports such a viewpoint. Across his seven seasons involved with the senior side, he secured two top-flight crowns, one FA Cup, a Club World Cup and two League Cup victories. Such a tally would be the envy of most participants in the English game.
Despite dedicating his entire adult career to the Liverpool first team and accumulating silverware at an impressive rate, many observers feel Jones is concluding his Merseyside story prematurely.
His incoming manager Andoni Iraola appears to share this sentiment, having publicly voiced optimism about retaining the lifelong supporter’s services during his initial media appearance last month, before later reaffirming his disappointment at losing such a talented midfielder.
During a press conference ahead of the league opener at Newcastle, Iraola explained that while the situation remained unconfirmed, discussions were ongoing. He noted his high regard for the player and emphasised how clearly Jones’s devotion to the club was evident from their earliest interactions, though he anticipated the eventual outcome.
Jones deserves credit for his readiness to embrace an entirely different environment with his young family relocating abroad.
The people of Liverpool have traditionally supported local talents pursuing ambitions in other countries, meaning the England international can expect an affectionate farewell following his distinguished spell on Merseyside.
Nevertheless, this departure carries a sense of haste, having been concluded swiftly after a particularly difficult spell last season.
In November, following a humbling 4-1 home reversal against PSV in European competition, Jones publicly acknowledged the side’s dire predicament in frank terms.
His candid assessment highlighted his desperation to make an impact during a period when Arne Slot’s team was experiencing severe difficulties.
Despite these struggles, circumstances did improve marginally. The midfielder was handed seven consecutive starting berths through December and early January, and an unbeaten sequence of 13 fixtures helped stabilise results, although it failed to re-energise the supporters.
Being relegated to the substitutes’ bench for the Arsenal fixture at the beginning of 2026 reportedly affected him deeply, with Slot bringing an end to his seven-match run in the line-up. Across his 228 appearances, consistent involvement remained elusive.
Paradoxically, the fresh chapter beginning under Iraola could have offered Jones his strongest opportunity yet for regular Premier League involvement, especially given the manager’s evident enthusiasm when questioned about him previously.
However, an unhappy pre-season was marred by an avoidable confrontation with teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Kostas Tsimikas regarding the captain’s armband following the narrow victory over Wrexham at New York’s Yankee Stadium.
By that stage, particularly considering Inter’s persistent interest behind the scenes, Jones’s exit had become increasingly inevitable. An association commencing when he was just six years old has now concluded.
The conclusion to an otherwise commendable Liverpool career carries a melancholy, abrupt quality.
As the former St Vincent de Paul pupil dons Inter’s distinctive black and blue kit this week, only he can determine whether he truly leaves as a legend in this city.