Klopp warned Curtis Jones could leave Liverpool due to Thiago Alcantara transfer
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been warned the signing of Thiago Alcantara could cause Curtis Jones to seriously consider his future at Anfield.
Jones, 19, has been earmarked as a top talent for the Reds and played an increasing role in the first-team as last season progressed.
The former wide man has moved into a more central role as a midfield option for Klopp in recent months and is tipped for a bright future.
But Paul Merson fears he could be disheartened by the arrival of Bayern Munich star Alcantara and ponder departing in search of guaranteed first-team football elsewhere.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool ‘s clash with Arsenal on Sky Sports, Merson said of Jones: “He’s a very good player but how long do you stay at Liverpool?
“I don’t see him playing at the moment, I don’t see him getting into the team.
“He’s probably thinking, ‘I’m doing alright at the moment, I’m playing well’.
‘All of a sudden Thiago comes in and you think, ‘where does that leave me?’
“If push comes to shove I think Thiago goes and plays further forward rather than Jones.”
Jamie Redknapp insisted Jones will get opportunities but he admitted he may consider going elsewhere given the current scenario.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool got their title defence off to a shaky start as they edged out a seven-goal thriller against Leeds.
In terms of transfers the Reds have completed the signing of Thiago Alcantara and Wolves’ Diogo Jota has arrived too, in a shock deal worth a potential £45million.
Youngster Ki-Jana Hoever is set to head to Wolves in a £10million deal, while Gini Wijnaldum continues to be linked with Barcelona. There’s a lot to keep track of.
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Redknapp added: “I would guess he’d be up more against the likes of Wijnaldum or further forward players, he’s one of those that can get forward and score goals.
“It’s one of those, at 19 years of age. Right now, for him, he needs to stay in the competition for Liverpool.
“This is where he’s going to get his games right now.
“As a midfield player he’s got all of the attributes but there does come a time, I’m not going to lie, where you want to play, you want to be in the first team.”
Despite concerns over Jones’ opportunities, Klopp recently told the youngster that the “door is open” for him to prove his worth and earn his first-team place.
“Now the door is open,” said Klopp last week after their Carabao Cup win over Lincoln.
“I don’t want to make his performance smaller than it was because it was absolutely exceptional: the way he scores, the way he contributes to the game, that’s all really exceptional.
“But Curtis knows himself there is a lot of space for improvement. Being involved in a game over 90 minutes – and I mean really being involved – so there is space for improvement.
“But he is a hard working boy and he loves all the feedbacks, all the analysis we do. The plan is to use him as often as possible because of the way he performs, and that is it.”
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