Curtis Jones could return to Liverpool’s starting XI for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Toulouse.Jones has been unable to start United’s last two Premier League games since the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The midfielder was initially shown a yellow card by referee Simon Hooper for a tackle on Yves Bissouma, but this was changed to a red card after Hooper consulted the VAR. Jones was forced to watch the team’s games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton from the sidelines after Liverpool’s appeal to the Football Association was rejected and the three-match ban was upheld. However, with the suspension unattractive in UEFA competitions, the 22-year-old could return to the starting line-up in place of Ryan Gravenburch for Liverpool’s third Group E match of the Europa League season.Gravenburg, a deadline day signing from German champions Bayern Munich, made his first Premier League start of the season against Everton on Saturday afternoon and impressed as he lined up alongside summer signings Dominic Szoboszlay and Alexis McAllister.
A win against the Ligue 1 side at Anfield on Thursday will give Liverpool a leg up on their play-off place, with the Reds knowing they will at least advance in the round with all three points ahead of next month’s second leg in France. 32 is guaranteed.
