Curtis Jones was one of three players left out of Liverpool’s squad for their friendly match against Ligue 1 side Monaco at Anfield on Sunday, which came as a surprise to many fans and analysts alike. The decision to exclude Jones, along with backup goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, has been described as a precautionary measure by the club.

Manager Andoni Iraola has a solid midfield lineup available, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch starting in the deeper positions. Other midfield options such as Trey Nyoni, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, and James McConnell are also ready to step in, providing the team with ample flexibility despite Jones's absence.

Jones's omission from the squad does not seem to be linked to any immediate transfer rumors, although he has been a target for Inter Milan this summer. The Serie A club has made three unsuccessful bids for the midfielder, the latest being an informal offer of €35 million, which fell short of Liverpool's €40 million asking price. Despite being in the final year of his contract, Liverpool is reportedly reluctant to sell Jones, especially if their valuation is met.

As Liverpool prepares for the upcoming season, Jones's absence from the Monaco match raises questions about his fitness and readiness. However, the club is set to welcome Alexis Mac Allister back for pre-season training, which could further bolster the squad. This friendly match against Monaco is crucial for Liverpool as they finalize their preparations ahead of the new season.

In this context, fans are eager to see how the team will perform without Jones and how the squad will shape up as the season approaches.