There is not a lot to like about Liverpool this season as they lurch from one crisis to another.
After a good win over Marseille in midweek the next problem soon erupted, with talk unexpectedly arising of a mid-season exit for Andy Robertson.
Robertson looks likely to join Tottenham in the coming days, leaving Liverpool even shorter in defence. To compound a miserable weekend for Reds fans, they watched their team lose in the last second against Bournemouth on Saturday.
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Who was Liverpool’s worst player as they fell to a pathetic loss against Bournemouth?
Mohamed Salah chases the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
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Arne Slot blamed fatigue hanging over from Wednesday’s trip to Marseille for the loss, and while there is no doubt some truth to that, the Dutchman’s comments are likely to infuriate Curtis Jones in particular.
Like Robertson, Jones has been linked with a move to Tottenham and as he approaches the final year of his contract, Saturday may have been a tipping point for the Scouser.
Curtis Jones was fresh to start vs Bournemouth
“It’s safe to say a few players of ours ran out of energy. I cannot even criticise them for that because two days ago we had to play an away game in Europe.”
That was Slot’s verdict on the loss at Bournemouth, with the head coach going on to say that he ‘plays the same players because of the players we have available.’
Curtis Jones runs with the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
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Although fair enough in many cases, Jones must have heard those comments and felt more than a little annoyed. The midfielder played only 10 minutes in Marseille and, as a result, was more than ready to start at the Vitality Stadium. Instead, another second-half introduction was all he was given.
Jones was one of Liverpool’s better players in the half an hour he was on the pitch and did show some of the freshness many of his teammates were lacking.
Slot’s comments may leave him wondering exactly how he can nail down a place in this Liverpool midfield if he cannot get into the team ahead of players who are running on fumes.
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There were some AWFUL performances vs Bournemouth
Virgil van Dijk complains after Liverpool concede against Bournemouth during the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Catherine Ivill - AMA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Catherine Ivill – AMA
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Jones’ contract situation quietly becoming a worry
Jones is a confident young man who has never hidden his belief that he should be starting week in, week out for Liverpool.
While that has not always been reflective of the reality, there is no reason he should not currently be starting over Alexis Mac Allister, for example.
Mac Allister has had a really poor year and it would have made complete sense for Slot to bring Jones back in for the Argentine against Bournemouth.
The result of the Liverpool head coach doing the opposite could be that Jones begins to seriously consider his future with the Reds.
His current deal expires in the summer of 2027, and if Liverpool do not tie him down between now and the end of the season – which feels unlikely – it would not be a surprise to see a transfer happen in June, July or August. If you are Curtis Jones right now, why would you not be considering your options?
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