Curtis Jones has been ruled out of Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town due to injury, dealing a significant blow to Arne Slot’s plans.
The midfielder sustained the issue late in the first half of Liverpool’s hard-fought Champions League victory over Lille. Despite receiving on-field treatment, Jones played through to halftime before being replaced by Harvey Elliott, as the Reds secured a 2-1 win.
The 23-year-old now finds himself on the growing injury list alongside Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota. However, the exact severity of Jones’ condition remains uncertain. Speaking ahead of the Ipswich clash, Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, provided limited clarity on the situation.
“He went out during halftime — that’s mostly not a good sign,” Slot explained during Friday’s pre-match press conference. “It wasn’t because he won’t be available for the game tomorrow. The rest, we have to wait and see how long it is going to take. I’m not expecting months, but let’s see if he is available for PSV (Eindhoven) or Bournemouth.”
Jones’ absence creates a void in a midfield rotation that has become instrumental to Liverpool’s campaign this season. Alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch, Jones has been vital in sustaining Liverpool’s intensity across all competitions. The synergy within this group has provided Klopp with a reliable backbone. However, with Jones unavailable, Arne Slot may turn to Harvey Elliott, whose recent performances have hinted at his readiness for increased responsibility.
Elliott, just 21 years old, has shown immense promise in his recent appearances. He scored the decisive goal off the bench against Lille and played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s late triumph over Brentford, assisting Darwin Núñez’s second goal in their 2-0 win. Slot has praised Elliott’s consistency and determination.
“(He has to) keep bringing performances in like he did and keep working as hard on the training ground as he’s doing as well,” Slot remarked. However, the manager also emphasized the stiff competition within Liverpool’s midfield, which includes experienced players like Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister. “He’s in competition with very good midfielders, and there are also a few youngsters coming through who are talented, but not close to playing time yet,” Slot added.
Liverpool’s relentless schedule leaves little margin for rest or recovery, further complicating the situation. Managing player workloads has become a delicate balancing act, particularly with several first-team regulars sidelined. Ibrahima Konaté’s case highlights this challenge.
The center-back recently admitted to rushing back from a knee injury to cover for Joe Gomez, only to find himself dealing with residual discomfort. Slot addressed concerns over Konaté’s fitness, stating,
“I think you’ve seen how we try to manage that. We skipped him twice. This game (Lille) Jarell (Quansah) played, and the Accrington Stanley game he didn’t play as well. That is maybe because he still has some pain in his knee — don’t exaggerate it — but he feels a bit.”
Arne Slot Pre Match Press Conference Liverpool v Ipswich
Slot reassured fans that Konaté’s condition is under control but stressed the importance of caution. “It’s safe for him to play, but it’s more the load where you’re aware of if a player is out for five or six weeks and then plays every three days, that’s, in our opinion, a certain risk,” he noted. Despite these challenges, Slot expressed confidence in Konaté’s ability to handle a more demanding schedule moving forward. “I think he now comes to a moment where he would be able to play three times a week.”
Liverpool’s ability to navigate these injury setbacks will undoubtedly test the depth and resilience of the squad in the weeks to come. For Elliott, this period offers a chance to further cement his place in the team, while the hope remains that Jones and his fellow injured teammates can return swiftly to bolster the Reds’ efforts across multiple competitions.
