Former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant has spoken out on Arne Slot’s team selection and expressed his desire to see one player used more regularly next season.
The Reds have had persistent injury issues throughout the campaign, but despite previously competing in four competitions, Slot was largely selecting the same team most weeks.
One player who has been pushed aside in recent months is Curtis Jones, but Pennant can’t quite understand why that has been the case.
Are Liverpool making the right call by sticking with Arne Slot? 🤔
What does he need to do to get the fans and players back on side?
Why is Alexis Mac Allister starting over Curtis Jones?
Jones played well against Everton, being used out of position as a right-back in the derby win.
However, he is often, despite only three senior options being available right now, snubbed in his natural midfield role in favour of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch this season.
But when speaking to talkSPORT about Jones’ display against the Toffees at the weekend, Pennant pondered why he’s not getting picked by Slot ahead of Mac Allister more.
He said: “He [Jones] was composed on the ball. I thought he was fantastic, and he’s got that ability. I just think sometimes you just need continuity to get into a regular rhythm to get your confidence up.
“Sometimes, chopping and changing positions and coming in and out of the team is hard, and he gets judged week in, week out.
“For some reason, he doesn’t get the same chances that the others get. Mac Allister has been way off it, but Slot is still playing him ahead of Jones. I would like to see him there next season because he can do a job all over the pitch.”
You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it?
Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all…
Curtis Jones’ Liverpool future latest
Yet for whatever reason, Mac Allister is often selected ahead of the home-grown talent this term.
As a result of his lack of minutes and his contract running out in 2027, Jones’ future has been cast into doubt ahead of the summer.
With so little time left on his deal, a move this year would make the most sense if Liverpool are to net some form of fee for him.
On that front, it’s thought that talks over a new contract have stalled, and there is interest in the player from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
However, it is fellow top-five rivals Aston Villa who are thought to be leading the race.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
