Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool have had to work under pressure in recent transfer windows, especially in defence.
They have often been forced into late moves to protect squad depth.
That happened again at the end of January.
The club were searching for cover at the back as they tried to avoid being left short during a busy run of fixtures.
Their search led them to RB Leipzig as they explored a deal for Lutsharel Geertruida. But the move did not materialise before the deadline.
Liverpool had to continue with their existing options and they eventually signed Jeremy Jacquet who will join the club in the summer.
That situation showed how tight the squad balance is.
One defensive gap quickly affects other positions.
It was clear last weekend when Dominik Szoboszlai had to fill in at right-back against Manchester City.
That ended up with him picking up a red card and as a result, a one-game suspension.
Against that backdrop, Inter Milan’s late interest in Curtis Jones felt like bad timing.
Inter made contact on Friday, January 30.
Liverpool had a big Premier League game coming up at Anfield the next night against Newcastle United.
The approach was rejected.
Curtis Jones is 25, an Academy graduate, and a local player who has always carried himself like he belongs at Liverpool, though he has had to compete hard for minutes in a strong midfield.
Under Arne Slot he has played more than ever, with the last 18 months marking his most active spell, and he still has 12 games left this season to build on his best Premier League tally of 33 appearances set last year.
However, his momentum slowed after he was benched for the goalless draw at Arsenal last month, which ended a run of seven straight starts, and he has started only twice since.
Slot says Inter’s interest fits a wider pattern.
“I think it is perfectly normal that very good football players are in the interest of big clubs, like us, trying to extend with him and clubs wanting to sign him,” he said via Liverpool Echo.
“And if you go to the end of your contract, I think it is also normal that other big clubs think: ‘Hmmm, maybe there’s a deal to be done’. Because, and I am saying this every time I am standing here lately, you know our model.”
He then explained why clubs keep trying.
“Other clubs know our model as well, so other clubs might think: ‘Okay, there is no use calling them because they don’t sell’, we have a different model.”
“So that could be the reason why there has been some links with other clubs.”
From Liverpool’s side, the message is clear.
“He is a Liverpool player and I think I have said this a few times, he is good enough to play for us, to start for us,” Slot added.
“He is a very good player but the only line where we don’t have issues is the 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.”
Slot finished with a firm hint about the short-term plan.
“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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