Curtis Jones accused of aiming dig at Arne Slot in goodbye message after alleged falling out

Curtis Jones may have aimed a subtle dig at former Liverpool manager Arne Slot in his goodbye message.

Just over one year after leading Liverpool to the Premier League title, Slot was sacked following the end of the 2025/26 season.

After achieving so much success in his debut season, Slot failed to live up to expectation in his second campaign with the Reds, finishing fifth in the Premier League table.

Despite this, it came as a surprise to many when the club announced that they had sacked Slot and immediately started work to sign his replacement.

"That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying," Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) said in a statement.

"The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and - most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves - successful."

Following Slot's dismissal several players have released statements thanking the former Liverpool boss for his guidance and wishing him well for the future.

But during his goodbye message, Liverpool midfielder Jones may have aimed a sly dig at his former manager, amid rumours the pair had fallen out this season.

"Thank you and all the best for the future. Respect you as a man for what you did for our club," Jones wrote on Instagram.

Although the message is a nice gesture from Jones, fans on social media have pointed out that the 25-year-old's choice of words could reveal what he really thinks about the ex-Liverpool boss.

Reacting to Jones' message, one fan wrote: "The 'respect you as a man' feels like a dig."

Another agreed, adding: "It seems more like ' I might have questioned your ability as a coach but you are a good human'"

With another writing: "I think this is the most honest post, he respect him as a man, not a coach."

Will Curtis Jones leave Liverpool after Arne Slot sacking?

Throughout Slot's second season in charge questions were raised about his relationship with Jones, leading to rumours that the midfielder could leave the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.

As he heads into the final year of his contract this summer, it is believed that Serie A giants Inter Milan are eager to secure Jones' signature over the summer and have already held conversations with both Liverpool and Jones.

It has been reported that Liverpool are looking for a £35million fee for the academy graduate, a number that Inter have shown a resistance to meet.

With Slot's dismissal, some have questioned if Jones could still leave Liverpool in the summer or if it could now lead to him staying for the foreseeable future.

But, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Jones remains “totally open” to joining Inter this summer.

“The relationship between Curtis Jones and Arne Slot was not excellent,” Romano explained on YouTube.

“Not from a personal point of view [where there was] maximum respect, but since Jones was a reserve for Arne Slot.

“It was one of the reason why Curtis Jones considered leaving Liverpool and going to Inter back in January.”

He added: “With a new coach arriving we will see what happens, because Iraola will certainly be able to give an indication.

“Inter remain interested in Curtis Jones. Curtis Jones is totally open to Inter.

“He would like to have this experience in Italy at Inter, a bit like McTominay [at Napoli], who arrived from the Premier League maybe not as a superstar and maybe in Italy he can become one.”