TA: With Jones' £30 million move to Inter Milan, Liverpool's first team currently has no homegrown players.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool's homegrown midfielder Curtis Jones is set to transfer to Inter Milan for £30 million, leaving Liverpool's first team without any Liverpool-born players for the time being.

Anfield's homegrown tradition has continued for many years, from Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler to Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard. Jon Flanagan briefly took over the mantle, followed by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones emerging from Liverpool's Kirkby academy to join the first team.

In every Premier League season, Liverpool has had at least one Liverpool native representing the team. But now, the cherished bond between the dressing room and the Kop stand, so dear to many fans, is at risk of breaking down.

Curtis Jones' £30 million (approximately $40.9 million) transfer to Inter Milan was finalized on Wednesday evening, leaving new manager Andoni Iraola's first-team squad without a single Liverpool player.

Jaden Dance, a product of the youth academy, has participated in first-team training in recent years, but the 20-year-old striker has suffered multiple injuries that have hampered his development. He did not play in any of the friendly matches this summer.

Currently, no other homegrown youth players are close to being promoted to the first team. However, the youth training camp staff believe that there are many promising young stars in the youth teams, which will allow homegrown talent to return to the team in the future.

At his inaugural press conference last month, Iraola told reporters that he wanted Curtis Jones to stay. "I value Curtis very much. He's a Liverpool native, which is very important," the Basque coach said. "I hope we can keep him, not just this year, but for much longer."

But throughout the preseason, it became increasingly clear that separating the two sides was better for both.

Inter Milan, the Serie A champions, have shown interest in Curtis Jones. Inter attempted to sign him on loan with an option to buy late in the January transfer window, but the deal fell through.

25-year-old Curtis Jones aspires to be a key midfielder, but he knows that staying at the club he's supported since childhood will not achieve this goal.

In the competition for the three starting midfield positions at Liverpool, he is actually fifth in the running, behind Florian Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Hrafinbech, and McAllister. This ranking will not change even if Arne Sloot leaves and Iraola takes over.

Last season was a disappointing one for Curtis Jones. He made 49 appearances, a personal best at Anfield, but only 28 of them were starts, including 7 times as a makeshift right-back. He was expected to be included in England's World Cup squad at the start of the season, but was ultimately dropped by manager Thomas Tuchel.

Curtis Jones, entering the prime of his career, can obtain the status and salary he desires at Inter Milan. With only 12 months left on his contract and no possibility of renewal, Liverpool faces two choices: either let him go this summer or force a dissatisfied player to stay and watch him leave on a free transfer next year.

This £30 million deal includes a 10% resale option. Considering the average value of English midfielders this summer, Inter Milan got a bargain. Liverpool were at a disadvantage in negotiations because no Premier League clubs were chasing Curtis Jones and driving up his price, while Inter's initial offer was less than £20 million.

Unless there are significant changes in the transfer market, Liverpool are unlikely to bring in a replacement for Curtis Jones before the transfer window closes.

The club believes that 19-year-old academy midfielder Trey Nione is ready to take on more responsibility, and he has been one of the most impressive players in the preseason. There had been previous discussions about loaning out the former Leicester City youngster, but his rapid development has now dispelled those ideas.

Liverpool's failure to sign a dedicated defensive midfielder this summer has become a hot topic among fans. Hrafinbech performed brilliantly in this position during the 2024-25 title-winning campaign, but struggled more in the role last season, with Sloth's midfield pairing often falling behind in runs and duels.

However, the club believes that the team does not need a dedicated number 6 player. Iraola's system requires the whole team to press, and the midfield is not built around players like Fabinho—he is not needed to provide cover for the defense when his teammates push forward; instead, all players are required to share the responsibility of attacking and defending.

Before the transfer deadline, Liverpool's transfer funds will not be used to strengthen the midfield, but rather to expand their options for attacking wingers.

Liverpool are still in talks with Paris Saint-Germain to sign French international Marco Barcoa, who primarily plays on the left wing. Barcoa has been Liverpool's top target since their failed bid for Jan Diomande in June.

Liverpool are also looking for a right winger. According to The Athletic, Liverpool's £50 million bid for Jankuba Mint has been rejected by Brighton. The Gambian international is currently sidelined with a leg injury, and Liverpool see him as a replacement for Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye.

As for Curtis Jones, he left with his head held high, leaving behind countless precious memories.

Making 228 appearances for Liverpool during their most successful period since the 1980s is no small feat. Since his debut in January 2019, he has been part of the team that won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, and two League Cups.

There were periods when he seemed poised for a breakout season, securing his starting position, but injuries or form issues always lured him back just short. His versatility was an advantage, but it also had a downside, causing him to be frequently deployed in different positions.

He has been criticized for touching the ball too much and sometimes slowing down the pace of the game, but he has always been confident on the field, and his ball control under pressure has been underestimated. His outstanding performance in Italy is not surprising.

Since Gerrard, only Curtis Jones and Alexander-Arnold, both products of Liverpool's youth academy, have reached the milestone of 200 appearances for the club. Now, just over a year after Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid, Curtis Jones has also chosen to leave.

Liverpool has lost its homegrown talent in its first team, and when it will regain that remains to be seen.