Curtis Jones Fitness Boost Gives Liverpool Options Ahead of Como Test

Curtis Jones has returned to Liverpool training ahead of Sunday’s pre-season double-header against Como, providing Andoni Iraola with a useful midfield boost at a point when squad availability remains a significant issue.

The 25-year-old missed Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to AS Monaco at Anfield after reporting a minor hip problem in training. His omission attracted attention, partly because of his importance during pre-season and partly because his Liverpool future continues to generate considerable discussion.

Jones remains a target for Inter Milan and is entering the final year of his Liverpool contract. Against that background, every absence is inevitably viewed through the transfer lens.

Curtis Jones Return Comes at Useful Moment for Liverpool

The indications around Jones’ fitness were always relatively encouraging. Liverpool left him out against Monaco as a precaution, rather than because of a major injury, and his participation in Wednesday’s training session supports that assessment.

That matters for Iraola.

Jones has featured regularly throughout Liverpool’s preparations, including during the club’s United States tour, as the new head coach attempts to reshape a side that struggled badly during the final season of Arne Slot’s reign.

Having Jones available against Como would therefore offer another opportunity to assess how he fits within Iraola’s midfield structure before competitive football begins.

There is also the wider question of his future. Inter have reportedly already had two offers rejected, while Liverpool continue to value the academy graduate and could yet consider extending his contract.

With only a year remaining on his deal, however, the situation naturally requires a decision. Liverpool must either find common ground over an extension or determine what constitutes acceptable value in the transfer market.

Como Friendly Offers Iraola Another Important Test

Liverpool’s meeting with Como represents their final opportunity to fine-tune preparations before the new campaign.

Jones is not the only player returning at an important time.

Jeremy Jacquet has resumed training and could make his first appearance of pre-season, while Ronald Araujo has completed his first session following his loan move from Barcelona.

Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz have also returned to action, gradually giving Iraola more senior options after a preparation period disrupted by injuries.

For a coach introducing new tactical demands, availability matters. Repetition in training matters even more.

Liverpool have rarely enjoyed enough continuity this summer for Iraola to work with anything resembling his preferred squad.

Injuries Continue to Shape Liverpool’s Pre-Season

Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley remain sidelined, while Liverpool’s defensive options have been particularly stretched.

Jacquet has yet to feature during pre-season, Joe Gomez has recently sustained another injury and Giovanni Leoni is continuing his recovery.

Those absences have complicated Liverpool’s preparations and increased the value of every returning player.

Jones may not resolve those defensive concerns, but his return restores another experienced midfield option and gives Iraola greater flexibility ahead of Como.

For Liverpool, that is significant enough.

The transfer speculation surrounding Curtis Jones will continue until his future is settled. For now, however, the more immediate development is straightforward, he is back in training, available again and potentially ready to play a meaningful role in Liverpool’s final pre-season examination.