Liverpool Champions League hero Vladimir Smicer believes Curtis Jones is lacking confidence and would be disappointed if the midfielder left the club this summer. As reported by the ECHO last week, Inter Milan have renewed their interest in Jones and contacted the Reds regarding a deal worth £30m.
Inter's renewed interest
The move comes after Liverpool rejected a £21m bid for the 25-year-old in June, as they were seeking a fee of £35m for the midfielder. Jones has made 228 appearances since his debut in January 2019 but has been seeking further first-team opportunities as a regular starter.
Smicer's plea
But Smicer, who scored in the 2005 Champions League final comeback against AC Milan, is desperate to see Jones remain at Anfield.
“If Curtis Jones goes, I'd be very sad,” he said, via Casinostugan. “I rate him really highly. Technically he's a fantastic player.
“What is missing is just a little bit of confidence from the coach because he needs to play regularly. If you're not playing regularly, you start to doubt yourself.
“If you train every day and then don't play at the end of the week, it's sad. But he's not been in the starting XI for a while. Instead of him, it's (Dominik) Szoboszlai, (Ryan) Gravenberch, or (Alexis) Mac Allister.
“He's twenty-five years old and I think he wants to find a team where he will be playing every game. Then his confidence can go higher.
“Now he's in a situation where he's wondering what his real position is. He's even played right-back.
“I think he's looking for a team where he will be starting regularly. I'd be sad if he goes because he's a good lad. Technically he's very good. He can pass and run with the ball.
“We'll see what Andoni Iraola is thinking about him. If Andoni wants him to stay and gives him a new opportunity and an idea of what he's thinking, he can stay.”
Iraola's backing
Asked about Jones last month, new Reds boss Andoni Iraola said: “I will have the chance to speak with him today. I rate Curtis very highly.
"For me he is a great, great player and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing.
“It’s very important that he’s scouse, that he’s from here. I also like the personality. From the outside at least he looks like a player with good character and I hope we can keep him, not only for this year but for more time.”
