Arne Slot shares thoughts on Curtis Jones' Liverpool future after shock transfer approach

Arne Slot gives his take on Curtis Jones' Liverpool future after an approach from Inter at the end of the January transfer window

Even accounting for the madness that afflicts football in the final hours of a transfer window, the interest in Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones that was made public late last month raised an eyebrow or two.

Italian giants Inter made their advances known on Friday, January 30 and with Liverpool preparing for a big Premier League match the following evening at home to Newcastle United, it was an approach that was said to have been given the short shrift.

The move from the Nerazzurri was never privately dismissed as inaccurate but checks on the reports came with a firm indication that the Reds had no interest in weakening their squad, particularly so late in the window, with the deadline set for 7pm the following Monday.

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Liverpool, in fact, were looking to add to their ranks, with the scramble for defensive cover eventually taking them to RB Leipzig over a deal to move Lutsharel Geertruida. Given Inter were in touch over Jones, however, it is not a massive leap of faith to believe the reports of Denzel Dumfries, the Netherlands international right-back, also featuring in those brief talks.

It would also be no surprise if Inter began to cast admiring glances towards Jones after his performance in the San Siro when the Reds inflicted the Italian side's first home Champions League defeat for three years in early December.

If the England international looked at home in one of Europe's true cathedrals, however, it will be countered that it is only because of the self-belief he carries when starring for his boyhood club.

But while the move from Inter was thought to have been fleeting before being met with an unequivocal rejection, the contact itself hints at some gentle encouragement behind the scenes from a player who is hurtling towards the final year of his deal on Merseyside.

Arne Slot, however, has a different theory about why Inter felt empowered to pick up the phone to discuss the 25-year-old's situation at Liverpool. The head coach believes it is the club's "model of sustainability" that emboldens interested parties to feel they have a chance of striking a deal for any player in the squad.

"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," Slot says.

"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.

"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."

Slot points to the amount of football Jones has played under his guidance as proof that he is closer to regular first-team football than he has ever been for the Reds and, with 12 games remaining of the season, an injury-free run affords the city-centre-born player the chance to clock up his most appearances in a Premier League campaign to date, which currently stands at 33, reached last term. Eleven more will achieve that.

Slot conceded recently, however, that Jones wants to start more regularly and a spot on the bench for the goalless draw at Arsenal last month halted a run of seven successive starts in all competitions.

The eight games played since have brought just two starts, with one coming against Barnsley in the FA Cup. Against Manchester City last weekend, he was overlooked, despite Dominik Szoboszlai being forced into right-back duty on the day.

Being on the bench for games with Arsenal and City was no doubt tough to take for a player whose confidence has rarely needed boosting from external sources.

A summer of soul-searching may yet be on the cards for Jones as he weighs up his career options but it would be galling for natives to see a second successive year where the 'Scouser in the team' has moved on following Trent Alexander-Arnold's defection to Real Madrid last year.

Interest from Tottenham Hotspur has been reported and it's unclear if Inter will return to the table when the transfer window opens.

Slot, though, says he and the club are at least planning for the rest of Jones's contract to be seen out at Liverpool, leaving open the prospect of the Academy graduate becoming the latest in a string of players heading into a campaign with their long-term futures unknown.

It was hinted recently by Slot that talks are open over a new agreement but recent history suggests those discussions may take some time before a resolution is found either way.

"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 adds.

"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.

"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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