Curtis Jones Omission Raises Liverpool Future Concerns Amid Inter Interest
Curtis Jones’ name was missing when Liverpool’s teamsheet dropped for their second friendly of the day against Como – and the timing could hardly be more intriguing.
The midfielder, already the subject of reported interest from Inter, has been left out of the squad entirely for the evening clash, having also sat out the earlier behind-closed-doors meeting between the sides at the AXA Training Centre. That first game ended in a goalless draw. This one is in front of supporters. Jones will watch it from afar.
Liverpool have indicated, via Tuttomercatoweb, that the England international is set to complete individual work instead. The club have already cited a minor hip issue after he missed last week’s friendly against Monaco, and there has been no official suggestion that tonight’s decision is linked to a potential transfer.
But the context is impossible to ignore.
Inter have been monitoring the 25-year-old as they weigh up midfield options in the final stretch of the summer window, and every fresh absence now feels like another piece in a puzzle that has yet to reveal its full picture. A fit, established midfielder repeatedly missing friendlies at this stage of pre-season will always draw attention, especially when a major European club is hovering.
For now, the line remains that Jones is working alone, managing his fitness. The speculation will run on without him.
Fabregas starts Chalobah as Como rotate
On the opposite bench, Cesc Fabregas has taken a different approach to his own squad. The Como boss has handed Trevoh Chalobah a starting role, a notable show of faith as the defender looks to sharpen up. Around him, Fabregas has mixed things up, keeping several eye-catching names in reserve.
Nico Paz, Maxence Caqueret and Alvaro Morata all begin on the bench, held back as potential game-changers rather than centrepieces from the first whistle.
Official lineups
Liverpool
Alisson; Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Isak, Gakpo, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Ngumoha.
Substitutes: Davies, Munoz, Araujo, Nyoni, Koumas, Ndiaye, Wright.
Coach: Iraola.
Como
Butez; Bruno, Milla, Douvikas, Ramon, Couto, J. Rodriguez, Baturina, Chalobah, Liberali, Da Cunha.
Substitutes: Kempf, Valle, Goldaniga, Morata, Caqueret, Gabrielloni, Nico Paz, Audero, Dossena, Lahdo, Kuhn, Tronqvist, Vigorito, Perrone, Fadera, Smolcic, Asfour, Rispoli, Diao, Van Der Brempt, Azon.
Coach: Cesc Fabregas.
As Liverpool press on with their preparations and Inter continue to watch, Jones’ absence lingers over this friendly like a question mark. How many more times can his name be missing from a teamsheet before the answer becomes clear?
