Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Liverpool head coach has discussed Curtis Jones’ lack of minutes recently.
Arne Slot has insisted that Curtis Jones remains in Liverpool’s plans for next season amid speculation over his future.
The midfielder has found himself down the pecking order in recent weeks. After starting nine out of 10 games in December and January, Jones has not featured from the outset in the past six matches. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz have been ahead in the pecking order.
Before the winter transfer window closed, the 25-year-old was linked with moves to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Italian giants Inter Milan. Liverpool were not willing to allow Jones to depart, though.
The homegrown talent sees his Anfield contract expire in 2027. Should he not wish to pen an extension then Liverpool could either opt for a sale in the summer or allow Jones to run his deal down and leave on a free transfer.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton, Slot admitted that Liverpool’s lack of injuries in midfield - unlike in most other positions this season - means that competition for places is strong but Jones will get chances to play in the upcoming weeks.
The Reds boss told reporters: “It’s perfectly normal that very good players are in the interest of big clubs, like us, trying to extend with him and clubs wanting to sign him. If you go to end of your contract, it’s also normal other big clubs think maybe there’s a deal to be done.
“But he is a Liverpool player and I think I have said this a few times, he is a very good player but he only line where we don't have issues is midfield and he has been playing the last 18 months more than he ever has in his time at Liverpool, so that tells you a lot about the development he has made.
"But he is also in competition with a lot of players that I also like and they have done very well for this club as well, so yeah, he will be part of our plans for the upcoming weeks, months and also for next season."
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