Jordan Henderson and Fabinho exits could offer huge career arc for ‘exceptional’ Liverpool star

All good things must come to an end at some point, but it’s highly unlikely that many expected Liverpool’s summer transfer window to nose dive as dramatically and rapidly as it has done over the last week.

After signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the Reds were cruising at a very comfortable altitude. For starters, the transfer links being reported actually came to fruition. This is something still relatively new to the Merseyside club - not too long ago, most rumours would have been waved away by fans before they’d even finished reading the report.

The board didn’t mess around when it came to the crunch either. Just shy of £100 million has been forked out for the two midfielders combined, and announcements were pretty swift, but the main takeaway has to be that Jurgen Klopp identified a weak area in his team, promised to fix it, and has done exactly that.

Two new creative-minded and proven midfielders over the line to finally support the front three? Sensational stuff, things really are starting to look up. Or they were, at least, until the rest of the midfield found itself linked to Saudi Arabia.

A shock twist in Liverpool’s fairytale could see them with a dangerously depleted midfield. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho are being head-hunted by Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad respectively, meaning if both leave this summer, the Reds are without their main defensive midfield options. Thiago’s future also hangs in the balance — the Spaniard has been viewed as a potential outgoing for the Reds and he too is on the Saudi Pro League radar.

Naby Keïta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner were all released at the end of their contracts. After all, it seemed a smart thing to do in order to clear up space, wages, and allow rotational players a chance of first team football with another club. Right now though, it would be a blessing to still have Milner on the books — Mr Evergreen, always versatile, always doing what he’s asked.

So, if we’re celebrating how Liverpool transfer rumours have a lot more legs in them these days, it means we must also acknowledge that these outgoing links could hold substantial weight. If all three Saudi-connected players leave, Klopp will have lost his captain, vice-captain, and first choice No.6 in the same window, plus a reliable and experienced international. Hardly the predicted arc when Klopp promised a midfield restructure.

Before the impending doom that has been instilled by these potential exits, Liverpool were already plotting a move for a third midfield signing. The names of Roméo Lavia, Ryan Gravenberch, and Manu Koné have been thrown into the mix for several weeks now but in light of these recent revelations, the Reds are opening up space to recruit an extra man for the engine room.

While further deals are discussed, it’s worth casting light on the positives that will remain behind if, or when, these senior players depart for pastures new. It could pave the way for a new era for Curtis Jones, who will be the longest-serving midfielder on the roster, despite being just 22 years old.

The homegrown talent has worked his way up through the ranks of the Liverpool academy and has become a regular feature in Klopp’s main squad. Since his breakthrough into the senior team, many have been monitoring his progress in hopes he will become the next Steven Gerrard. This summer exodus could be a career-shaping moment for Jones as he is likely to be handed more responsibility and will be comfortable enough in his role now to help integrate new signings.

Jones made his senior debut in 2019 and has been pushing to become a firm starter for his boyhood club ever since. His trajectory is not quite at the level of Gerrard’s, who was months away from being named as captain this time 20 years ago, but a passionate Scouser playing for the badge is always going to be a much-needed addition to the Anfield side.

Jones naturally has a great relationship with Trent Alexander-Arnold as well, which could blossom into the second edition of Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. Plus, with TAA potentially moving into midfield, the two Merseyside locals could strike up an influential partnership side by side.

Klopp already has the vision for Jones’ star-studded future too. Back in 2020, the manager said: “There is still space for improvement but everyone knows my opinion of Curtis Jones, he is an exceptional talent and we will have some fun with him I am pretty sure in the future.”

Last season, Jones had limited time on the pitch until the home stretch in April, which saw him start all 11 of Liverpool’s last games. Arguably, his goal against Tottenham and his brace against Leicester City three matches later played a big part in the Reds securing Europa League football. Towards the end of the campaign, Liverpool could not afford to lose any of their games, and with the help of Jones, they maintained an unbeaten 11-game streak.

Klopp may have the creative talent of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai at his disposal next season but without long-serving players like Henderson and Fabinho, he will need a figure to step up and assert dominance as a leader. Jones has spent all of his career so far learning from others and following in the footsteps of veterans, now the torch is being passed to him and he must be ready.

This is a golden opportunity in his career to establish himself as a true Anfield legend. Fans will be eager to see the Scousers in the team step up and become vocal leaders in their side. This summer is quickly turning into a rough sea for the Reds but Jones has a huge chance to steady the ship and show his worth. In the absence of former leaders, he has the upper-hand at becoming one of Klopp’s most trusted and reliable midfielders.

If he delays, someone will take his spot, and legends aren’t made by playing cautious and waiting for an invitation. Jones has what it takes to write his name in Liverpool folklore, he just needs to be brave enough to snatch this opening with both hands and prove he can carry the flame.