The Liverpool midfielder was not named in the 20-man squad for the Champions League decider at home to Qarabag on Wednesday, meaning he has not started the last three games
18:58, 28 Jan 2026Updated 19:18, 28 Jan 2026
Curtis Jones
(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Curtis Jones was unavailable for Liverpool's Champions League encounter against Qarabag on Wednesday due to illness.
The midfielder has not now started three games in a row and, after being named on the bench for the last two games, it was anticipated he would return to the line-up. However, he was a surprise omission for the midweek encounter.
Jones trained with Liverpool on Wednesday and has recently attracted transfer interest from Tottenham Hotspur. The academy graduate has played 29 times this season.
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In his absence, Arne Slot has selected a midfield three of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Sozboszlai and Florian Wirtz.
Slot also named Ryan Gravenberch in the side, but the former Bayern Munich midfielder is expected to start at center-back alongside his international colleague Virgil van Dijk.
Alisson is in nets as usual, while Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson start in the full-back roles. The latter continues to be linked with a move away from Liverpool.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Salah is set to play his 80th Champions League game for Liverpool, equalling a club record(Image: Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo are the front three.
Slot has named a nine-man bench which included two goalkeepers, four teenagers and two unfancied players in Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa.
Liverpool needs three points to secure its place in the last-16 of the Champions League, although could suffice.
The Reds are fourth heading into the final round of matches and have won five of the last seven games.
Arne Slot
Slot is confident of Liverpool's chances of progressing to the last-16
Writing in his pre-match program, Slot said: "Most of all, though, we have to be ready to show our best or as close to it as we possibly can.
"This is the standard of the competition and the requirement for going far in it so the more we can reach those kinds of levels the better.
"We have done this already this season against some very strong teams including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Inter Milan and Marseille.
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"The performance levels and results we achieved on those occasions should give us confidence in terms of what we are capable of and we should take this belief into every game we play.
"The atmosphere during our home matches in this run has been a massive help to the players, especially during a period in which we have not always been able to reach our best levels in the Premier League.
"Hopefully tonight will be similar as we look to take a big step forward in Europe."