Curtis Jones misses Liverpool friendly amid Inter Milan interest

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was excluded from the squad for a 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat against AS Monaco at Anfield. While his absence fueled transfer speculation regarding Inter Milan, head coach Andoni Iraola clarified that the omission was a precaution due to a hip issue. Iraola stated, “It doesn’t look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk [him].”

Inter Milan remains heavily interested in the 25-year-old, with reports suggesting the Italian club has targeted him as a primary midfield reinforcement. Liverpool has reportedly valued the player at approximately €40 million, a figure Inter has been hesitant to meet. Inter's ability to pursue the deal may depend on their success in offloading current squad members to generate necessary funds.

Beyond the Jones situation, Liverpool's defeat highlighted defensive vulnerabilities. The club is looking to bolster its backline, with reports indicating that Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is expected to join on loan to provide depth.