​Curtis Jones looked destined to leave Liverpool only a few weeks ago.Contract negotiations had stalled, interest from Inter continued to circulate and, after falling down the pecking order last season, an exit appeared increasingly likely. Yet one section of Andoni Iraola’s first press conference has reopened the conversation.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking on Media Matters for Anfield Index, Eddie Gibbs and Liverpool journalist David Lynch examined the Liverpool head coach’s public backing of Jones and whether it could alter the midfielder’s future at Anfield. Their conclusion was not that Jones will definitely stay, but that Iraola has given Liverpool an opportunity they perhaps did not have before.Asked about Curtis Jones, Iraola offered wholehearted support.As Eddie Gibbs highlighted, the Liverpool head coach said:“I rate Curtis very highly. For me, he is a great player. It’s very important. He’s Scouse. He’s from here. I also like the personality. I hope we can keep him, not only for this year, more time.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor a player whose future has been questioned throughout the summer, those comments represented a significant public endorsement.David Lynch believes they have changed the picture.“Coming into this summer, if there hadn’t been a change of manager, I would have said multiple times on this podcast that Curtis Jones absolutely nailed on to leave.”That was a striking admission.Instead of discussing transfer fees or potential destinations, Liverpool are now discussing how the new head coach might persuade Jones to remain.Lynch argued that Jones’ relationship with the previous coaching regime had left little room for optimism.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Arne Slot didn’t have a role for him that he was happy with.”He also questioned how Jones had been used.“He should have been playing ahead of Mac Allister last season.”From Lynch’s perspective, Iraola’s arrival changes the equation.“What has changed things is this change of manager now.”More importantly, Iraola has already publicly stated his position.“The manager’s kind of laid his cards on the table there and clearly kind of rates him.”Public support is one thing.Turning those words into a long term future at Liverpool is something else entirely.Photo: IMAGOLynch believes the coming weeks could determine everything.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I think there’s a really important couple of weeks coming up here in terms of the conversation they have.”Those discussions will centre on two key issues.Firstly, where Iraola sees Jones fitting into his tactical plans.Secondly, whether Liverpool can finally resolve the contractual situation.As Lynch explained:“A lot depends on the conversation they have and whether Curtis is happy with what’s on the table.”Money remains part of that equation, but so does football.After a frustrating campaign in which opportunities were