Curtis Jones Absence Sparks Transfer Speculation as Liverpool Face Como

Curtis Jones was a conspicuous absentee as Liverpool named their squad for the second friendly of the day against Como, a decision that sharpens the focus on his future amid concrete interest from Inter.

The two sides had already gone head-to-head behind closed doors earlier on Sunday, playing out a 0-0 draw at the AXA Training Centre. This time the stands are open and the cameras are on, but Jones is nowhere to be seen. He has been left out of the matchday group entirely.

Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb report that Liverpool have indicated the midfielder is instead set for individual work, with the club pointing to fitness management rather than a tactical or transfer call. Jones also sat out last week’s friendly against Monaco due to a minor hip issue, a detail that offers a logical explanation yet does nothing to cool the noise around him.

Because the timing is impossible to ignore. Inter have been tracking the 25-year-old as they weigh up midfield options in the final stretch of the summer window, and every missed appearance now feels like another data point. There is no confirmation from Liverpool that his omission is linked to any negotiations, but his continued absence during a key phase of pre-season will only fuel the speculation.

While the Jones subplot rumbles on, the football goes ahead.

Chalobah starts, big names on the Como bench

On the opposite side, Como coach Cesc Fabregas has opted to throw Trevoh Chalobah straight into the action from the start, a notable show of trust in the defender as he looks to build rhythm. Around him, Fabregas has kept several headline names in reserve, including Nico Paz, Maxence Caqueret and Alvaro Morata, all listed among a deep bench.

For Liverpool, the lineup offers its own intrigue. Alisson anchors the side in goal, with Virgil van Dijk leading a defence that also includes Jacquet and Kerkez. Further forward, Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Isak, Cody Gakpo, Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch and Ngumoha all start, giving coach Iraola a blend of established quality and emerging talent to work with.

On the bench, Davies, Munoz, Araujo, Nyoni, Koumas, Ndiaye and Wright provide rotation options as Iraola continues to shape his plans ahead of the competitive season.

Como respond with Butez in goal, protected by Bruno, Milla, Douvikas and Ramon. Couto, J. Rodriguez, Baturina, Chalobah, Liberali and Da Cunha complete Fabregas’ starting XI. The substitutes’ list is stacked: Kempf, Valle, Goldaniga, Morata, Caqueret, Gabrielloni, Nico Paz, Audero, Dossena, Lahdo, Kuhn, Tronqvist, Vigorito, Perrone, Fadera, Smolcic, Asfour, Rispoli, Diao, Van Der Brempt and Azon all wait for their chance.

As the teams walk out for this second meeting of the day, Jones remains in the shadows, working alone while his name dominates the conversation. With Inter watching and the transfer window ticking down, every day he spends away from the pitch only raises the same question a little louder: is this just careful fitness management, or the prelude to a move?