'Complete' Liverpool star's career is drifting after international omission, his exit feels inevitable - opinion
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Curtis Jones is facing a crucial crossroads in his career this summer as he ponders whether to leave Liverpool.The Scouser will have only one year remaining on his contract at the end of the season, and with no new talks in sight, it feels likely that he departs.Despite threatening to cement his place at various points during his Liverpool career, Jones has never been able to become a regular starter at Anfield. The 25-year-old has made six appearances for England, scoring once, but has not been named in any of the four squads this season.Perhaps the biggest reason for his continued omission is his lack of playing time with Liverpool.Although Jones has featured in 26 of Liverpool’s 30 Premier League matches this season – and a further 12 across all competitions – he has only started 11 times.
Photo by Alex Caparros – The FA/The FA via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Arne Slot can find his best Liverpool XI with one tweak to the team which thrashed GalatasarayElliot Anderson has come in to take his place for England, and while that may be acceptable given the Nottingham Forest man’s quality, Jones will be more disappointed to see the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and especially James Garner selected ahead of him.The former Liverpool academy man has supreme confidence in his ability, and will believe he is better than many of those chosen by Tuchel.While he may be right in that notion, the only way to prove it is by going out and playing week on week at the top level. What should Liverpool do with Curtis Jones?
A mid-season sale would have made little sense.However, if Inter are still interested come the end of the campaign, that would have the look of a move which really could rekindle Jones’ career.If he could become a starter for the Italian side, he could surely catch the eye of Tuchel and become a stalwart for England.There is no question that Jones will have belief that he is good enough to do the same at Liverpool and that he absolutely should be part of the Three Lions’ squad anyway. If he has to leave Liverpool to do that, then so be it.