Liverpool boss Arne Slot explains Curtis Jones switch choice amid Tottenham curiosity
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has explained why the Reds decided to keep Curtis Jones after transfer interest during the January window
Curtis Jones was linked with a move away from Liverpool in the winter transfer window(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Arne Slot has revealed why it would have been ‘bizarre’ to offload Curtis Jones during the transfer window. The Liverpool star attracted attention from clubs including Tottenham and Inter Milan.
The Reds manager reckons the club’s injury crisis meant there wasn’t even a discussion to be had about the midfielder’s future. Jones, 24, has featured 30 times for Liverpool this campaign but faces fierce competition for a midfield berth.
The England international must compete with Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai for a starting spot under Slot, yet has still proved valuable to the Dutchman reports the Mirror.
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Slot reckons Jones has been unfortunate not to get more game time, having started fewer than half of Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures. However, the former Feyenoord chief didn’t want to reduce his options.
“I think what you’ve seen…he has played a lot of minutes and unlucky in the sense that midfield is the only line we haven’t had injuries, but we kept because we have players but we need players in these positions,” Slot said in his press conference on Friday.
“And the moment you start to need midfielders in different positions, the line gets smaller and smaller.
“We kept him, his situation hasn’t changed to us, he is one of 16 outfield players available we have with two young players in Nyoni and Ngumoha, so it would be strange if we let anyone go.”
Slot remained tight-lipped when questioned about Jones’ long-term future at the club. The homegrown talent’s contract is due to run out in 2027, but the Reds’ manager refrained from commenting on any ongoing contract negotiations.
“(Contract) talks are not taking place in here – they’re taking place in other places in this building,” he said. “We’re all aware that he only has one and a half years left (on his current contract), so that’s all I can say about it.”
Liverpool did bolster their squad during the transfer window with the addition of Jeremy Jacquet, although they won’t be able to call upon the Rennes player until the summer. The Reds are set to fork out up to £60million for him, having beaten off competition from Chelsea and Manchester United.
“Very pleasing, of course, because he’s a very big talent and maybe even more than only a talent,” Slot said of the move for Jaquet. “We weren’t the only ones interested in him.
“Young, very talented players sometimes at the start of their careers, sometimes a few years into their careers, but always players that are young and that can improve us and help us for the short and long term. The future of this club is in a very good place.”
