Arne Slot Rules Curtis Jones Out of PSG Clash and Provides Alisson Injury Update

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has all but ruled midfielder Curtis Jones out of Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, while also offering an update on the fitness of goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Jones was withdrawn at half-time during Liverpool’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Fulham on Saturday after sustaining a groin injury. He was replaced by Ryan Gravenberch as a precaution.

Goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah secured an important win for Liverpool, marking their first league victory since February. However, the result was overshadowed by concerns over Jones’ fitness ahead of a crucial European encounter.

Liverpool face a significant challenge in the second leg against PSG, having fallen to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg in France earlier this week.

Speaking after the match, Slot expressed his concern regarding Jones’ availability:

“I said, perhaps jokingly, that this season seems to repeat itself. After a positive result, there always appears to be something negative, and unfortunately today that was an injury.”

He added:

“That is why I had to take him off. I would be surprised if he is available for Tuesday. The positive aspect is that he did not feel it suddenly — he sensed it developing over a few minutes.”

Slot further elaborated that the midfielder had been experiencing discomfort prior to his substitution:

“He felt something in his groin, not just in that moment — it had been there for a short while. We remain hopeful, but realistically, if a player comes off with such an issue, it is unlikely he will be fit in time.”

The Liverpool manager also provided an update on first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, who remains sidelined with a muscle injury.

“I do not expect him to be available on Tuesday. He is not yet training with the squad,” Slot confirmed.

“He is working very hard on his recovery, and we hope he will return in the near future. However, as he is not training with the team, he will not be involved on Tuesday.”

Liverpool will now have to prepare for the decisive clash without two key players as they attempt to overturn a two-goal deficit against the French champions.