Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may already have Fabinho replacement in Curtis Jones

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Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Curtis Jones could be the man to replace Fabinho at Liverpool after being left impressed with the 22-year-old at the tail end of last season. The Reds announced on Monday that Fabinho would be leaving the club after five years on Merseyside, with the Brazilian midfielder having joined Al-Ittihad in a deal worth around £40million.

Fabinho’s exit came just days after Jordan Henderson was sold to Al-Ettifaq to leave Liverpool worryingly short of options in the middle of the park less than a fortnight before the new campaign gets underway. The six-time European champions will undoubtedly be looking to land reinforcements before the summer window closes, but Klopp has suggested that Jones could be a surprise candidate to fill the void.

“In this actual set up how we have it and how the squad looks, he [Jones] is one of the options definitely,” said the Liverpool boss during a press conference in Singapore. “I think it’s no secret that we are still looking for players to join us, that’s one thing and the other is using what you have and I think Curtis can absolutely play that position.

“Can he play it when no one else is defending in the team? No, no chance, but then I don’t know any player who can do that. But if you really understand the situation how it is in this moment, a proven 6 is not available in the moment, do we make an excuse for that?

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“During the season a lot of things can happen, it was always the case. We see it as a challenge and try to find a way to be compact anyway. In possession there’s no doubt Curtis can have a massive impact from that position. I think his development in the last few months, since he’s with us is really remarkable.

“Held back by some injuries in the wrong moment, too long. Nobody’s fault, [it] just happens with young players. Before that the steps he made were really good. Having him on the pitch makes sense. In this position, if nobody else is there, he can play that definitely.”

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Jones only made 18 appearances in the Premier League last season but arguably had his best stretch as a Liverpool player during the latter stages of the campaign. He often excelled in the middle of the park and the Reds did not lose any of their final 11 games when Jones was tasked with running the show in the engine room by Klopp.

It remains to be seen whether he will be able to pick up where he left off when the new season begins, although Klopp’s high praise suggests that he will at least be given the opportunity to prove himself in the absence of Fabinho. That said, it would not be a surprise to see Liverpool delve into the transfer market for another midfield option, with Romeo Lavia of Southampton thought to be among the names under consideration at Anfield.

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