Liverpool dealt injury blow as midfielder doubtful for Bournemouth clash with ankle problem: Reports

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is expected to miss the Reds' Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday (August 19) due to an ankle injury in training, according to This Is Anfield.

Jones, 22, has a swollen ankle and missed the Merseyside-based club's training on Wednesday (August 16). The central midfielder is, therefore, a major doubt to face Bournemouth in their first home game of the season.

Liverpool are reportedly hopeful of having the England U21 international back in action soon, as his injury is not thought to be serious. There's a feeling that the player will be available to face Newcastle United at St. Jame' Park in the league on August 27.

It's worth noting that Jones featured in the club's Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend. He racked up 24 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute as Jurgen Klopp's side played out a 1-1 draw with the Blues.

Jones was pivotal to England at the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship earlier this summer. He featured in all but one of the Young Lions' six games in the tournament and scored the winner in their 1-0 win against Spain in the final.

With Liverpool lacking a specialist defensive midfielder following Fabinho's move to Saudi Arabia, Klopp tried Jones in that position in pre-season. Fans have been calling for him to play Jones s the team's deepest midfielder against Bournemouth after the need for a No. 6 was evident at Chelsea. However, that option is now unlikely to be available.

Jones has had two significant injuries during his senior career at Anfield. He missed 10 games for the Reds across competitions due to a stress response of the bone last season. He was also sidelined for 16 games due to an eye injury in the 2021-22 season.

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Liverpool close to adding third midfielder this summer

Liverpool identified midfield as an area that needs strengthening ahead of the summer.

The need was heightened by James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's departures The Premier League giants, therefore, signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined £95 million early on.

The Reds' options in midfield deteriorated after Fabinho and Jordan Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia for £52 million. They have since tried to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. However, Chelsea beat them to both players.

Jurgen Klopp's side are, therefore, pursuing a shock move for VfB Stuttgart's Wataru Endo. They have agreed to sign the Japan international for around £16 million, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.