Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed Curtis Jones will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash against Ipswich Town due to injury.
The Reds, who currently lead the league by six points with a game in hand, are set to face a struggling Ipswich side entrenched in the relegation zone.
Jones picked up a knock during Liverpool’s 2-1 Champions League win over Lille on Tuesday. The midfielder, who assisted Mohamed Salah’s opening goal, was substituted at halftime. While Slot refrained from revealing full details about the injury, he hinted at a short-term absence.
“He had to come off at halftime, which is usually not a good sign,” Slot said during his pre-match press conference.
“He won’t be available tomorrow, but we’ll see how long he’s out. I don’t think it’s months, and I’m hopeful he’ll return for PSV or Bournemouth.”
Jones, 23, has been instrumental for Liverpool this season, contributing three goals and six assists. His absence, however, is compounded by injuries to Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez, who remain unavailable.
On a positive note, Ibrahima Konaté is fit to return after managing a recent knee injury. Slot emphasized caution regarding Konaté’s recovery:
“Jarell Quansah stepped in against Lille and Accrington Stanley while Konaté was out. He’s safe to play now, but we’re mindful about pushing him too hard after an injury.”
Liverpool’s busy schedule continues with a Champions League match against PSV on Wednesday, followed by a challenging stretch of fixtures.
The Reds are set to face Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester City, Newcastle, and Tottenham in what promises to be a critical period in their campaign.
Despite Jones’ absence, Liverpool’s depth and momentum put them in a strong position to maintain their lead at the top of the table.