An explanation for the absence of midfielder Curtis Jones from Liverpool’s squad list for the Champions League has been provided on Saturday.
Milan test awaits
Jurgen Klopp’s men are of course set to get their latest European endeavours underway in a little less than two weeks’ time.
In their first Champions League outing of the campaign, the Reds will welcome Serie A giants AC Milan to Anfield, for a highly-anticipated clash between two of world football’s most historic clubs.
Liverpool were handed an altogether tough group to navigate in last month’s draw, with the Merseysiders set to vie out out with all of the Rossoneri, Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, and familiar foes FC Porto.
In turn, ahead of European football officially returning to Anfield on September 15th, boss Klopp was this weekend forced to decide on his final Champions League squad list.
Elliott in/Jones out
And, this afternoon, the Liverpool boss’ list was officially submitted to UEFA.
The club’s CL squad proved largely as expected, with star performers Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Mo Salah and more all included.
However, one omission which may initially have come as something of a shock to the Reds faithful came in the form of midfield talent Curtis Jones.
English youth international Jones has long been viewed as one of the finest up-and-coming performers on the red half of Merseyside, and, despite his tender years, played an important role in Liverpool’s first-team setup in 2021/22.
So, why was he not named on the club’s latest squad list?
Well, because he didn’t have to be. As revealed by The Liverpool Echo, according to UEFA’s official rulebook, ‘any player under the age of 21 that qualifies as “homegrown” doesn’t need to be registered as part of the maximum 25-man squad for the tournament and can instead be included on the B list’.
Jones, along with fellow starlet Neco Williams, will therefore simply be registered on Liverpool’s B list, ensuring their eligibility for this season’s Champions League campaign.
Harvey Elliott, on the other hand, has been as part of the Premier League giants’ A-list, due to his status as a non-homegrown player.