Insider issues ‘sinister’ Curtis Jones claim as Liverpool mystery explained
There is unlikely to be a “sinister” explanation for Curtis Jones’ absence from Liverpool training.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The Liverpool Echo reported on Tuesday (13 December) that Jones has not been pictured in full training since last week (7 December) and the reason for his absence has not been explained.
The midfielder, who turns 22 next month, was also not in the squad for Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Lyon in a friendly on Sunday (11 December).
“Liverpool, inherently, are really good with the updates they provide on injuries and absences,” Dinnery told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Of course, there are always one or two players that do slip under the radar, particularly at this stage of the season and it’s something minor and trivial where they expect the player to return between the four and five day period and it’s nothing too serious.
“It could be an oversight but on the flip side to that, there are always rumours or a suggestion that the omission is deliberate because of something more sinister.
“In my experience, especially with Liverpool, that hasn’t ever been the case.
“Jurgen Klopp and the PR department are really good, and probably one of the better teams in the Premier League, with the information they share on their players with updates, setbacks, progression, protocols and return to play.
“Sometimes you are directed by the questions asked to you at a post-match press conference.
“There are some big names dominating those discussions. You only have a limited amount of time and maybe at the moment, unfortunately, Curtis Jones is not as high on the list as others.”
In other news, Liverpool have opened talks on £180,000-a-week player deal.