Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that the club's injury situation made it an easy decision to retain Curtis Jones during the January transfer window, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan. The 24-year-old midfielder has featured 30 times for the Reds this season but has started fewer than half of their Premier League matches due to stiff competition in midfield.
Slot explained that the midfield is the only area where Liverpool have not suffered injuries, but he stressed the importance of maintaining depth. 'The moment you start to need midfielders in different positions, the line gets smaller and smaller,' he said. 'It would be strange if we let anyone go.'
Jones, an academy graduate, has been a useful squad player for Slot, battling with Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai for a starting spot. The Dutchman acknowledged that Jones has been unlucky not to feature more but insisted that selling him was never considered.
Regarding Jones's long-term future, Slot remained tight-lipped about contract negotiations. '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].'
Liverpool also secured a summer deal for Rennes youngster Jeremy Jacquet, with Slot describing him as 'a very big talent' who can improve the squad in both the short and long term. The club is set to pay up to £60 million for the defender, beating Chelsea and Manchester United to his signature.
