Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Liverpool have made the correct decision in keeping hold of Curtis Jones this summer.
21-year-old Jones was linked to a loan move away from Anfield after an inconsistent season in Liverpool Red, featuring only 15 times in the league after an eye injury put a stop to his season.
He broke through to the first team from the Academy and, according to Robinson, will have a more prominent role next campaign.
“It is the right decision to keep him," he told Football Insider.
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“Whether that is the best decision for the player or not only time will tell.
“It is quite clear that Liverpool are not going to sign any more midfielders in this window so I’d expect him to get more game time next season.
“It is now more of a squad game than ever. Jones will get his game time and his opportunity.
"He is a player who the manager likes.
“It would take a sizeable fee to turn Liverpool’s head.
"It doesn’t look like another midfielder is coming in so why would you sell one of your best young players who plays in that position.
“I expect Jones to start more games than he ever has done.
"He has an opportunity to show the manager what he can do this year.”
As Robinson alluded to, the introduction of the five substitution rule in the Premier League may see an increase in Jones’ minutes from last season.
The campaign prior, in which Liverpool finished 3rd after a defensive injury crisis, Jones played 30 times in the league - and has featured over 70 times overall in a Red shirt.
Despite the fact he hasn’t kicked on in the way that was expected after he broke through in the 2019/20 season, there are still levels that Jones has to go.
This season will tell whether the Jürgen Klopp was right to keep Jones, or whether he should search for more first-team football elsewhere.
Topics: Curtis Jones, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Premier League, Transfers
Chris Stonadge