Three in-house solutions and three new signings who could replace Curtis Jones at Liverpool
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Curtis Jones’ 16-year story with Liverpool looks likely to come to an end in August after Inter Milan signalled a willingness to up their offer for the Scouser.Jones has caused some annoyance among the Reds’ fanbase this week after he was caught having an on-pitch strop following the pre-season win over Wrexham.It looks like being best for all parties that a move is arranged, and as Inter prepare a better bid, Jones seems set for a move to Italy. Pick Liverpool’s new front three with Bradley Barcola in it 👇 Who joins the Frenchman in Andoni Iraola's best attack?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sarah Stier/FIFA Trey Nyoni leads the list of ready-made Jones successorsThough fans have been clamouring for Liverpool to sign a new midfielder for some time, they do have three very good young players already on the books.Trey Nyoni has been outstanding during pre-season so far, and the 19-year-old is the best candidate to step up and fill Jones’ role in the squad.However, Nyoni is unable to do it all himself, and Liverpool could spread Jones’ appearances out amongst both Stefan Bajcetic and James McConnell.Although he has been injured for far too long now, Bajcetic has the potential to be a starter for Liverpool if he can stay fit, and between him and Nyoni, the Reds could have two quality midfielders for years to come.READ MORE: Harvey Elliott’s future at Liverpool looks much more clear after Andoni Iraola’s latest commentsMcConnell is highly-rated too, although the 22-year-old is probably not close to the top level of Nyoni and Bajcetic.Nevertheless, he could do a job here and there, meaning Liverpool have three options instead of one, with a graduation process then weeding out whether any could play an even bigger role in 2027/28.Angelo Stiller remains Liverpool’s best option to signLiverpool have not signed a new midfielder since 2023, but have clearly tried to add to their cohort in that time.The most notable was in 2024, when Arne Slot decided that Martin Zubimendi was the player he wanted to dictate his midfield.After Zubimendi decided to stay at Real Sociedad, Liverpool briefly explored a deal for Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller, and though they passed up on the German at that time, he continues to be a player who would fit really well.Now 25, Stiller is completely ready for the next step in his career, and while he has long been expected to leave Stuttgart this summer, a move is still yet to happen. Perhaps he is waiting for the cards to fall with Jones at Liverpool?Photo by Marcel Engelbrecht – firo sportphoto/Getty ImagesThere are other options for the Reds as well, including Lamine Camara of Monaco and AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit.The two are different players, with Camara more of an orthodox No.
6, if Liverpool decide to go down that route, while Smit is a more forward-thinking, box-to-box player.Like Stiller, both have been expected to move this summer, but the pair remain at their clubs for the time being.Liverpool will no doubt have to do something to plug the gap Jones will leave. Fans would prefer a new signing, when any of Stiller, Camara or Smit would suffice, but it would not be a surprise to see the Reds find their solution on the fringes of Andoni Iraola’s team either.