Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has admitted that he was wrong about Curtis Jones, with the young star playing a crucial role in the Reds’ strong start to the season.
Hamann, who won the 2005 Champions League with Liverpool, had long expressed doubts about Jones’ ability to establish himself as a regular in the team. Despite these reservations, Jones has impressed with his performances this season under manager Arne Slot. Earning a permanent spot in the starting lineup and contributing a goal and three assists. His displays have also caught the attention of England, where he scored in a Nations League match against Greece.
Hamann’s change of heart comes after hearing from Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who had long-been a believer in Jones’ potential. Gerrard, who previously coached Jones in Liverpool’s Under-18s, had predicted the midfielder would become a “superstar,” a statement that Hamann initially dismissed.
“I’ve been watching Curtis Jones for a number of years now. He must have-been in and around team for four or five years,” Hamann said in an interview with Genting Casino. “I wasn’t sure whether he was capable of being a regular for Liverpool, but he’s completely proved me wrong.”
At 23, Jones is now a key figure for Liverpool, and Hamann reflected on his own early challenges in adapting to top-flight football. “When I came into the first team at Bayern Munich, I was 20, and physically, I wasn’t ready. I needed a year to adjust. Jones has been excellent, and a lot of that is down to his confidence. He probably didn’t feel part of the team before, but now we’re seeing the real Curtis Jones.”
Jones first made waves in Liverpool’s 2019/2020 season, notably scoring a match-winning goal in an FA Cup tie against Everton. His rapid development has long been recognized by Gerrard, who has consistently backed him as one to watch. “Steven Gerrard coached him in the academy and has always been a huge admirer of him,” Hamann added. “He told me years ago to keep an eye on him because he would become a superstar. Sometimes, you just need to give players time, and at big clubs, that’s often not the case.”
After enjoying his best season yet in 2023/2024 and scoring five goals, Jones has become a key player for Liverpool. Hamann believes Jones’ persistence and the club’s management of his development have been key to his breakthrough.
“You have to give credit to how Liverpool have managed him,” Hamann continued. “There were moments when he could have gone-on loan, but they chose to keep him at club to continue his-growth. I think he could be a massive player not just for Liverpool, but also for England.”
Jones’ standout moment this season came in Liverpool’s Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen, where he made an exceptional assist with a through-ball. Hamann described the pass as “absolutely sensational,” emphasizing that few players in world football would have even seen the opportunity, let alone executed it.
With his confidence growing and his performances continuing to impress, Jones looks set to become one of Liverpool’s most influential players in the coming years. Hamann, once skeptical of his potential, now sees him as a cornerstone of the team’s future.
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