Curtis Jones must be sold as soon as possible after disappointing reaction to Liverpool 1-0 Wrexham
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As the Liverpool players stood on the Yankee Stadium pitch after beating Wrexham 1-0 in a lowkey friendly on Thursday morning, fans were beginning to filter out of the stadium, but their attention was drawn to the Scouser.While his teammates applauded the crowd or stood chatting amongst themselves, Jones cut an angry and frustrated figure, gesturing and pointing to Dominik Szoboszlai, as the Hungarian attempted to diffuse the situation.This did not look like a friendly conversation, with Jones wagging his finger in Szoboszlai’s face. Given he had just delivered another slightly insipid display, the Liverpool academy graduate did not seemingly have a great deal to complain about, but as rumours of a move away continue to persist, the Reds cannot allow this kind of petulance to seep into Andoni Iraola’s regime.Jones can’t be allowed to bring the energy downWhile Jones can at times be a happy, energetic and positive figure around the club, it is also clear that he has a certain amount of ego.The No.
17 has often been annoyed at not having a bigger starting role for Liverpool, and clearly believes he has the talent to be in the XI week in, week out.Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool player ratings vs Wrexham as Rio Ngumoha is the match-winner in New YorkThat he does not play every match is part of the reason why contract talks are reportedly not progressing at all with Jones, and he had looked certain to leave earlier this summer.However, Inter Milan are dragging their heels over meeting Liverpool’s not unreasonable £34m asking price, and it is understandable why this could lead to more frustration on Jones’ part.Instead of a fresh start and a potential berth in Inter’s regular midfield, he is instead facing the prospect of becoming a squad player under yet another manager at Liverpool. Liverpool, and especially Iraola, do not need that energy.Liverpool have little choice to let Jones goSince Inter’s opening bids were rejected by Liverpool in early July, the Italian champions have not yet come back to the table.They may well do so, but for now that leaves Jones – and also Iraola – in a limbo.
If Inter come again with something in the £25-30m mark, the Reds should seriously consider taking that.Having an unhappy player on the books is never a good idea, but under a new manager it can ruin things before they even get going.If he takes this attitude into the changing rooms and behind the scenes on the US tour, then Liverpool should actively be looking to sell Jones.The alternative is that things become more toxic as his frustration grows, and as a local player who has given plenty to Liverpool, it would be a shame for his exit to happen under a cloud. This should be the final straw for Jones now, it is surely best for everyone if his Anfield story ends in New York.