Michael Owen has praised Liverpool for their decision to sell Curtis Jones and resist the temptation to sign a replacement.
When Curtis Jones left Anfield for Inter Milan this summer, Liverpool chose not to sign a direct replacement. Michael Owen believes the club made the right decision, arguing the move opens the pathway for academy graduates to step up.
Jones, 25, had come through Liverpool’s academy and established himself around the first team from 2020 onwards. While the Englishman was not always a guaranteed starter, his versatility made him a useful depth option across midfield.
Instead of recruiting a replacement, Andoni Iraola has opted to promote from within, with Trey Nyoni given a greater role around the first team, while James McConnell has also remained in the senior squad.
Owen has praised that approach, arguing Liverpool should not block the pathway of promising academy players by signing backup players simply to maintain numbers.
Owen backs Liverpool’s decision on Nyoni and McConnell
With academy graduates Nyoni and McConnell stepping up, Owen’s view aligns with Liverpool’s historical reliance on youth, a philosophy that has underpinned recent league success.
Speaking exclusively to TEAMtalk, Owen said, “I think there are a couple of good youngsters and there is merit in trimming the roster and promoting academy prospects. You don’t want to block a pathway. I wouldn’t have thought they needed to buy backup players. If they can sign someone to come straight in, then fantastic, but I think the young kids coming through are good enough.”
Nyoni’s development has already received further recognition after the midfielder earned a call-up to the England Under-21 squad. The promotion underlines how quickly he has progressed since being given greater exposure to senior football.
McConnell provides another internal option, allowing Liverpool to cover the midfield without immediately replacing Jones with another player. Owen believes that could prove beneficial over the course of the season, particularly because the Reds should only spend heavily if an addition can genuinely improve the first team.
“The hard thing for any club is you try to strengthen and you need a really good player to become available to do that,” Owen added before saying, “I would be more concerned: how much do you want to spend? Just be concerned to get them purring again and let’s get them playing well again.”
Liverpool have nevertheless been linked with midfielders, including Alex Scott and Lamine Camara, ahead of the January transfer window. However, Owen believes the Reds should first assess what Nyoni and McConnell can offer before deciding whether another signing is necessary.
Jones’s departure brought an end to the latest chapter of a player who had spent his entire senior career at Liverpool. Although he never became an undisputed starter, his ability to operate in different midfield roles ensured he remained a valuable option.
For Owen, replacing that role for the sake of it would make little sense. Liverpool’s decision to trust their academy graduates could give Nyoni and McConnell the opportunity to prove they can fill the gap from within.
