Paul Merson is concerned about Liverpool star Curtis Jones

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Paul Merson has told Sky Sports – as per Football Daily – that he is concerned for the future of Curtis Jones at Liverpool after the Reds completed the signing of Spanish maestro Thiago from German champions Bayern Munich.

Jones, 19, is beginning to establish himself as a crucial part of Liverpool’s first team – having clocked up 12 senior appearances last season and three more this time around. He has already found the back of the net five times for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

A Liverpool-born star, fans love Jones given he is another example of a product from the Merseyside club’s academy – following the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. But Merson is concerned for Jones.

The ex-Arsenal man stated he is concerned for Jones’ game time moving forward this season, following the arrival of Thiago from Bayern earlier this summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £20million.

“I don’t see him playing at the moment, I don’t see him getting in the team,” Merson said. “All of a sudden Thiago comes in. Jones is probably sitting there, thinking I’m doing alright at the moment – I’m playing well.

“But all of a sudden Thiago comes in and you’re thinking, where does that leave me? If push comes to shove, I think Thiago goes and plays more forward, over Jones.”

TBR’s view – Is Merson right?

What Merson has not considered is the future of Gini Wijnaldum. As Jamie Redknapp correctly pointed out, Thiago is more of a holding midfielder and Jones is more attacking – even able to play out wide.

Wijnaldum has entered the final 12 months of his contract. With the Netherlands international seemingly yet to sign a new deal, surely Jones is his long-term replacement? The form of Naby Keita may a play a part, but that has been somewhat indifferent.

Merson is onto something and it may affect Jones’ game time this season, but Wijnaldum could leave next summer and that is when Jones will thrive.