How Liverpool could immediately replace Curtis Jones in the transfer window

Liverpool have got plenty of work to complete before they are ready for the 2026/27 Premier League season – and it is only one week away.

While Arne Slot and his bruised side managed to secure passage into the Champions League after finishing fifth on the final day of the season, the toxicity levels had risen too high, and FSG were impelled into sacking Liverpool’s title-winning manager after two years.

In truth, there were a few false dawns throughout the campaign, but Slot had to go. Nothing improved. Light at the end of the tunnel proved to be the glare of an oncoming train.

Change was needed, but Liverpool aren’t done on that front. Curtis Jones, while the boyhood Scouser in the Reds set-up, is the latest casualty from that forgettable campaign. It looks like he will be moved on before the transfer window slams shut.

Why Liverpool are willing to sell Curtis Jones

Jones is one of Liverpool’s longest-serving players. The England international, who was overlooked by Thomas Tuchel ahead of the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign, made his debut under Jurgen Klopp in 2019, and he has since played 228 time for the seniors, collecting many trophies.

At his best, Jones is an intelligent and deft midfielder. He makes the right pass and he reads the game like a scholar. Detractors would argue he can be hesitant and laboured on the ball, but there’s no question that the 25-year-old is a valuable part of the Liverpool system.

And he’s set to leave. Inter Milan have come storming in this summer, and it looks like Liverpool are prepared to green-light his sale, should their £30m valuation be met.

In the end, Jones feels he is entering the prime of his career, and he has yet to really nail down a starting berth in the Liverpool first team, keeping it their for the duration of any given campaign.

It makes sense that Liverpool would at least entertain the notion of Jones’ sale, but they will need to line up a suitable successor in the middle of the park.

Liverpool need to sign a midfielder or two. This is irrespective of Jones’ future, but his sale would exacerbate a lack of depth in the middle of the park that could jeopardise the Reds across the forthcoming campaign.

According to 24 Horas in Mexico, Liverpool are among a number of clubs to have made contact with Mexico’s prized jewel Gilberto Mora, with top outfits such as Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid also keen. Mora could be available for around £20m.

Liverpool will not pull this one off in January, should they do so at all. Mora is still only 17 years old, so it is a winter proposal that has been put forward as the Reds look to package their midfield with enough quality for the years ahead.

Technically gifted and remarkably combative for one so young, Mora certainly has the right skillset to fit into an Iraola system. He is still so young, but could copy someone like Alex Scott at Bournemouth, growing into a key player for the high-intensity Spaniard.

England might’ve defeated Mexico at the Azteca, but Mora shone throughout, a penetrative and probing midfielder whose ease and command on the ball should see him do well when he does take the leap of faith and pursue a football career in Europe. Liverpool will be keenly aware that if they do not complete the transfer in the coming weeks, another elite suitor may seal the deal.

In many ways, Mora has the right style to succeed someone such as Jones. He is calm and collected on the ball with a desire to push things forward. The Tijuana midfielder might be inexperienced, but he has already impressed on the biggest stage of them all.

At the World Cup, Mora thrived for an impressive Mexico side, showcasing why The Athletic’s data writer Thom Harris hailed him as a “phenomenon”.

He ranked among the top 9% of positional peers for chances created per 90 and connected play with consistency for his side. Jones might be the more experienced man, but it looks clear at this point that he will never become the mainstay he hopes to be at Anfield, whereas Mora could yet develop into a superstar.

With Iraola in charge, this is exactly the kind of signing that could propel Liverpool back into title conversations. Perhaps it would take time to reach that standard, but when looking at the bigger picture, there’s no question that Mora could become a superstar for Iraola’s side.