Liverpool ace has been weirdly overlooked again but Arne Slot could be about to benefit

Curtis Jones may not be as much of a pressing machine as Dominik Szoboszlai or as dominant as Ryan Gravenberch, but the Liverpool ace will still be a vital component for Arne Slot in the coming months.

And after he was snubbed once again for an international call-up ahead of the November break, it does feel very much like he is overlooked by many when it comes to his importance.

For England, Jones started the first three games under Thomas Tuchel —scoring on his senior debut against Greece — and then came off the bench in the fourth. Since then, though, he hasn't been picked.

When the latest Three Lions squad dropped on Friday, his name was a notable absentee, despite Bournemouth's Alex Scott getting the call-up.

As good a player as Scott is — and as well as the likes of Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson have been playing — Jones should be right up there in the conversation for being involved. Really, he should be in contention to start.

Stars like Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham need to be fitted into the England midfield department, but someone like Jones, with his ability to keep possession and progress the ball, can be invaluable, especially in international soccer.

It would be no huge shock if he was selected by Arne Slot to play against Manchester City this weekend, for example. He was in the starting XI at the Etihad Stadium last season and was excellent.

For all that some get frustrated with his perceived dallying on the ball at times, that kind of controlling nature and composed play is particularly vital in the bigger fixtures.

But as curious as Jones' England absence is, it is no bad thing for Liverpool that he will get some time off. Rather than playing at Wembley against Serbia or away in Albania, the Reds' number 17 will be afforded a rest.

For his club, Jones will be vital across the course of the next couple of months, when the games will continue to come thick and fast.

He is perfectly capable of filling in across any of the midfield roles, and as good as Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch looked against Real Madrid, in particular, this week, they won't be able to play every minute.

Whoever needs a rest, Jones will be a likely and more than capable deputy.

"Curtis, since I have been here, his playing time went up and there is a reason," Slot said after he starred in the win at Eintracht Frankfurt recently. "I like how he has progressed."

England's loss could prove to be Liverpool's gain, but Tuchel's omission of the Reds academy graduate is baffling.

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