Sky Sports pundit suggests ‘very good’ Liverpool player should leave now Thiago’s signed

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Paul Merson has encouraged Curtis Jones to leave Liverpool during Sky Sports’ live coverage of their Europa League clash with Arsenal.

Jones was handed a starting chance for Liverpool against the Gunners and he once again looked at home in Jurgen Klopp’s side’s first-team.

Jones has impressed on almost all of his senior appearances for Liverpool now.

But Merson is concerned that Anfield may not be the best place for Jones to develop, especially after they signed Thiago Alcantara this summer.

“He is a very good player, but how long do you stay at Liverpool?” Merson said.

“I don’t see him playing at the moment, I don’t see him getting in the team.

“All of a sudden, Thiago comes in and he’s probably thinking, ‘I’m doing alright at the moment, I’m playing well’, but then Thiago comes in and you think, ‘Where does that leave me?’.

“If push comes to shove, I think Thiago plays more forward in Jones’ position.”

Fair comment?

Merson’s concerns about Jones may not be necessary as the 19-year-old is actually getting fairly regular action for someone of such tender years.

Jones has already played four times for Liverpool this season, with Klopp seemingly increasing his exposure to the first-team.

Jones also forced his way into contention at the back end of last campaign, when he was frequently on the Liverpool teamsheet.

And the Reds will surely argue that he is best suited to sticking around and training with some of the best players in the world, rather than leaving, if he is to fulfil his potential.