Arne Slot insists Curtis Jones remains a long-term option for Liverpool and says it would be "strange" if the club chose to let one of their available outfield options leave.
Jones was heavily linked with a move to Inter during the January transfer window, with the Nerazzurri reportedly eyeing an initial loan deal with an option to buy.
However, despite the midfielder supposedly asking to leave Liverpool, they were reluctant to let him leave, given their recent injury issues.
Jones, whose current contract is set to run out in 2027, has made 30 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions this term, starting 17 of those, but he has been limited to just 1,691 minutes.
And Slot explained that while Jones was unfortunate not to feature more, they never had any plans to let him go.
"He's played a lot of minutes, not all of them, but he's also unlucky in the sense that it's the only line where we haven't had injuries, but he's still played a lot of minutes, and that's of course why we kept him," Slot said.
"We have a lot of players in that line, but we need these midfielders in different positions as well, and the moment you need that, the line in midfield gets smaller and smaller.
"Of course, we kept him, and the situation hasn't changed. To us, he is one of the 16 players we have available for long-term and also in this moment in time.
"[It] would be a bit strange if we let anyone go if we only have 16 of them."
Among Liverpool's senior midfielders, only Wataru Endo (387) has played fewer minutes in 2025-26 than Jones.
The 25-year-old has the best passing accuracy of anyone in the squad who has played in more than one game, with 93.2% – completed 1,395 of his 1.497 passes.
Liverpool currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, two points behind the top four, ahead of their meeting with Manchester City on Sunday.
pacbceklnu
0
Letting Jones,one of our best ballplayers by Slot seems strange and inconsiderate of a great player Jones is destined to become in Liverpool...No matter whose idea this was it must never be considered not now..
Ciabdlmt
0
he is our own own player who never complained of being benched so, he committed himself to the club, and to be a Liverpool here
Dowelortu
0
his already destroyed the club the time when he started selling out the players he found in.
MoLance
0
Instead of selling Curtis Jones, it is prudent to sell one bald headed guy name Arne Slot.
hayaemnsyz
0
Ja Jones must go
Juwekpruz
0
buy van de vein
Zihbpstz
1
you already made a mistake by letting Elliot leave 😞
Wipbdorsty
1
this boy is more than a backup. Try that rotation style and see Mr Coach.
Vewaeorsu
0
please you can sell A field but leave jones.
AbdulZaks008
0
don't sell Jones please if you want to sell Jones you are destroy the club
who is Jones? Liverpool remain Liverpool with or without anyone
puocmortz
2
Is like Slot brought sale sale mentality to Liverpool, if he stays for the next two seasons I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they have sold the Anfield stadium
futiklmopz
4
This Liverpool 2025-2026 is crazy you have selling many players and now you want sell Jonas .remember that Jonas is good player option you have wen ather player are injury don't make mistake to let him go 🤔
Nucadiryz
4
don't sell Jones please if you want to sell Jones you are destroy the club