Steven Gerrard has implored Liverpool not to sell Curtis Jones this summer, insisting that local inclusion in the first-team squad is ‘vital’ at Anfield.
The 25-year-old is the only senior player hailing from Merseyside who currently plays for the Reds, and he’s been linked with an exit to Inter Milan of late, with David Lynch recently claiming that talks over a new contract for the Toxteth native have ‘effectively ceased’.
Although LFC have the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni who’ve made the leap from academy to first-team level, neither of those talented youngsters are from the city, and it seems increasingly plausible that the senior squad might have no local players in it next season.
Gerrard has spoken about the importance of the academy system at Liverpool and how those from the locality have an innate understanding of what it means to play for the Reds.
He told BFM Radio: “I think the academy system at our club is crucial and vital. It’s important we keep producing homegrown talents. I think naturally, being around the city, growing up in the city, we understand the demands of the club, the style, what the fans want. It’s embedded in us because we know the city inside out.
“I wouldn’t allow Curtis Jones to leave. I wished and hoped that Trent didn’t leave us. Certainly, you’ll understand and respect every player has got their own career and can make their own decisions.”
Gerrard added: “I think it’s critical and key that we keep producing homegrown talent, and what you do have to say is that Liverpool have been really good at that.
“If you look back, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Trent, myself – even the likes of players like Jay Spearing and Stephen Warnock who don’t play the [same] amount of games, but they still come into the team and they understand the values and the principles of what we’re about.”
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A player’s birthplace shouldn’t dictate whether or not they’re in the first team at Liverpool – their qualities as a footballer are by far the most important criterion – but such is the club’s history of producing homegrown talents that an LFC squad without a Scouse presence would feel almost unnatural.
Jones has proven over the course of his career that he’s earned 226 senior appearances on merit and not as a box-ticking exercise because he’s a Merseysider, and his raw outburst after the Anfield thrashing by PSV Eindhoven this season shows that he understands what it means to play for this club.
Admittely he struggled in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea last weekend, but so did many of his teammates; and he was tasked once more with playing at right-back, which isn’t his natural position.
That willingness to adapt to an unfamiliar role on the pitch for the team’s benefit emphasises ther 25-year-old’s value to Liverpool, that he’s prepared to sacrifice his best qualities for the collective good.
At a time when the Reds are set to lose several long-serving stalwarts, we need new leaders to emerge within the dressing room, and Jones could be one of those all-important standard bearers.
We understand if he wishes to move elsewhere in order to start more regularly, but like Gerrard, we fervently hope that FSG don’t cash on him this summer.
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If I am fsg, i will keep the scouser but he will be a squad player under the new manager or head coach.
Sorry Stevie, but I thought you knew a footballer when you saw one, Jones isn’t good enough for liverpool, if that’s the standard you think will win us trophies I’m afraid you are backing the wrong horse.
He’s now 25 and has never fulfilled his early potential. He only starts if there’s injuries or suspensions in midfield or at right back. Jones needs to play regular first team football, he will never get that at Liverpool. Jones is nothing more than a back up player who now and then plays a bit part.
Jones himself can’t be happy with the games he plays. Sell him and endo, the midfield needs improvement.
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