A Liverpool star is reportedly set to leave the club in the summer of 2026 after a supposed fallout with head coach Arne Slot.
On Wednesday (11 February), Virgil van Dijk’s second-half header was enough to secure the Reds a 1-0 win over Sunderland at a rainy Stadium of Light.
The victory kept Liverpool within touching distance of Chelsea and Manchester United in fifth and fourth, with the reigning champions currently sixth in the Premier League after 26 gameweeks.
And with just 12 league games to go this term, all attention appears to be on Slot’s future – or lack of it.
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Despite leading Liverpool to the title in his maiden season, the Dutch manager has admitted that this campaign has been the toughest of his career “by a mile”.
If Liverpool fail to qualify for the 2026/27 Champions League, this will be the first time the six-time European champions will have missed out on the action in a decade.
As a result, several players could move on, with Mohamed Salah among those linked with a potential summer departure.
Former Liverpool midfielder-turned-coach Xabi Alonso remains linked with potentially succeeding Slot at Anfield, but the 46-year-old’s case to remain may be helped if Liverpool go on to win the FA Cup or Champions League this term, with the side still in the mix in both competitions.
However, one man who could move on regardless is midfielder Curtis Jones.
The Liverpool academy graduate has featured 32 times this season, although just 13 of his 23 Premier League appearances have been from the start.
As reported by talkSPORT, the 25-year-old, like his fellow Scouser Trent Alexander-Arnold did in 2025, may choose to move abroad, with a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan mooted in the winter transfer window.
Premier League side Spurs are also reportedly keen, which has prompted former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant to put forward an interest theory on the player’s next move.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Pennant suggested: “To me, with the interest from Tottenham, his contract and Inter Milan, the bond with him and Slot...
"I think there's been a bit of a tiff and not seeing eye-to-eye."
At this stage, this is solely a theory, and there’s nothing to suggest there is a feud between Slot and Jones.
The midfielder is contracted to the Reds until the summer of 2027.
Topics: Curtis Jones, Arne Slot, Premier League, Football
Luke Davies