Curtis Jones injury update as Arne Slot makes worrying admission after Liverpool change
Arne Slot revealed Curtis Jones was replaced at half-time in Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League win over Lille due injury.
The midfielder appeared to pick up a knock in the first half of the game and received on-field treatment in the final stages of the opening 45 minutes. Jones was then seen limping after the half-time whistle was blown.
He didn’t emerge at the start of the second period, but it was not clear at the time if the change was pre-planned, with Slot also opting to remove Ryan Gravenberch as well. Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott took their places and the latter netted the winning goal in the 67th minute.
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Liverpool’s other midfield starter, Dominik Szoboszlai, was also substituted during the game, with Wataru Endo introduced just after Lille’s equalizer.
But speaking after the game, Slot clarified the situation. “The idea was to take Ryan and Dom off at half-time but Curtis couldn't continue, so Dom played a bit longer,” the Dutchman explained.
“There was a moment in the game, he said let's play for five and let's see how it is. He then said he needs to come off.”
Slot will hope Jones is available for Liverpool’s next game, which comes on Saturday at home to Ipswich Town in the Premier League. Liverpool then faces PSV Eindhoven, Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur.
Jones’ injury adds to the absences of Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez who are expected to be out for the next few weeks.
It was Jones who created the opening goal of the game when his exquisite pass cut through the Lille defence and picked out Mohamed Salah after 34 minutes, before the Egyptian finished first time past Lucas Chevalier. Elliott then grabbed the winner late on after Jonathan David had pulled one back for the visitors.
The 2-1 win ensures Liverpool that Liverpool will compete in the Champions League last 16 in March and bypasses the knockout phase. However, Slot’s side was denied securing top spot due to a late Barcelona comeback in Portugal as the Catalan side overturned a two-goal deficit to win 5-4 against Benfica.
Liverpool needs a point to wrap up top spot next week and cannot finish lower than second in the table.
