Reds to offer massive pay rise to rejuvenated star, with Slot ‘blown away’ by ‘future captain’s’ genius

Liverpool are reportedly set to open talks with midfielder Curtis Jones over a new and improved deal at Anfield, as Arne Slot is said to have been seriously impressed by the 23-year-old’s form this season and the Reds boss considered the player a future captain. of the club.

The Merseysiders have made an incredible start to life under new boss Slot, who ridiculed claims the team would struggle immediately following Jurgen Klopp’s departure. With a superb record of 17 wins from the first 19 matches of their reign, Liverpool can move 11 points clear of four-time reigning champions Manchester City if they beat Pep Guardiola’s side at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool’s form so far is all the more remarkable as Slot has failed to add anyone other than Federico Chiesa to his ranks – and the Italian winger has barely featured for the Reds anyway so as he seeks to get into the rhythm of the English game.

Making a point of praising the strength of Liverpool’s squad, Slot has instead sought to refine and further improve the group of stars he inherited from Klopp.

One of those big beneficiaries has been Jones, who has been in the form of his life for Liverpool this season and earned himself two caps for England, including a sumptuous goal against Greece earlier this month.

Now according to Wake up the KopLiverpool are ready to offer the 23-year-old a new contract at Anfield as a reward for his progress. His current contract runs until the summer of 2027, after signing his last extension two years ago, in November 2022.

Currently earning a measly £15,000 a week, it is understood his new arrangement will more than triple his current salary and aims to extend his current arrangement by at least two more years.

But with Slot considering the Toxteth-raised midfielder as the club’s future captain, they are reportedly ready to offer him a big new deal to secure his future on Merseyside.

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What did Slot say about Jones and what did the player say about his future?

Jones has thrived as one of Liverpool’s two midfielders this season and has already featured in 15 of their 19 games so far. Currently on course to break his best Liverpool seasonal tally of 36 appearances – achieved during the 2023/24 campaign – Slot was unhesitating in his praise of the Reds’ academy graduate.

“With Curtis, maybe it wasn’t me who did it, he became a father and I had nothing to do with it!” the Reds boss joked earlier this season, ahead of a match against Aston Villa and when asked what had changed for the 23-year-old at Anfield this season.

“You never know if that plays a role or not, but from the moment he became a father, he started putting in great performances. He already did it in the first few weeks we worked together, I ‘was like ‘phwoar, quality player’ but then his performance went down a bit, but now he’s outstanding again.

Jones, who joined the club’s academy at the age of nine and made his debut in January 2019, aged just 17, also expressed his love for the club.

In an interview with the the club websiteHe admits there were times when he felt he perhaps should have left Anfield to progress in his career, but he now feels he has made serious progress.

“I was at a point where I didn’t know if I was going to have to go on loan or leave the club and things like that.

“There have been many times where I have been reassured and I know where my future is and now I am at the point where I am ready to take the next step and become a dad.”

Latest Liverpool transfer news: Real make contact with Alexander-Arnold; big update to Zubimendi

Liverpool, meanwhile, have finally received official confirmation from Real Madrid that the Spanish giants intend to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2025.

Out of contract next summer and eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement to move to La Liga in just 32 days, James Pearce and David Ornstein have both provided an update on negotiations with the Reds over a new deal at Anfield.

Signing a new left-back is high on Liverpool’s 2025 agenda and while we understand the Merseysiders are heading for Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, reports in Italy claim Anfield scouts have also taken Close note of Atalanta man Matteo Ruggeri’s form in recent weeks.

A January deal appears difficult, however, and competition for the Italian is also emerging from two rival Premier League sides.

Elsewhere, Liverpool still greatly admire Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as the Reds prepare for a new bid to land him at Anfield – and Ornstein revealing why the Spanish star remains a perfect fit for Arne’s squad Slot.

Curtis Jones’ record for Liverpool over the years