Curtis Jones missed Liverpool’s friendly defeat to Monaco because of a hip injury, Andoni Iraola has confirmed.

Jones has been a feature for Liverpool throughout pre-season, playing in all three friendlies against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United in the United States.

However, for the Reds’ first home game of the summer, the midfielder was a surprise absentee from the matchday squad against the Ligue 1 side.

With Jones being linked with a move to Inter Milan, some Liverpool fans may have speculated that the 25-year-old’s omission was related to an imminent transfer.

Speaking after his side’s 3-2 loss at Anfield, Iraola confirmed why Jones missed out.

He said: “Curtis, he has trained every day but yesterday finished with issues in the hip.

“It doesn’t look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk and those are the ones, more or less, closer to a return.”

Liverpool raced into a two-goal lead at Anfield thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz before the half hour mark.

But for the second pre-season friendly in succession, the Reds failed to see out the result as Aleksandr Golovin, Mika Biereth and Paris Brunner sealed a comeback win for Monaco.

Amid a defensive injury crisis, youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe started alongside Virgil van Dijk with Iraola not willing to take any risks with summer arrival Jeremy Jacquet.

The Frenchman is yet to feature for Liverpool in pre-season, but is on course to make his first appearance for the club against Como next week.

“Jeremy Jacquet, we were in doubt whether to put him [in the squad] today, we decided not but he should be fine for the next one,” Iraola added.

“It is taking a little bit of time, as we expected.”

Liverpool are thought to be closing in on defensive reinforcements amid reports they have agreed a deal with Barcelona for captain Ronald Araujo.

In fact, Barca boss Hansi Flick has effectively ‘confirmed’ the transfer after explaining why the Uruguay international has been allowed to leave the club.

“I think Ronald is a great guy and a great player, but our style of play is different from what he prefers,” Flick told reporters.

“He’s a powerful and fast player. It’s a shame for me; it’s been difficult, and I haven’t been able to count on him as much as I would have liked.

“Past mistakes affected him mentally. I’ve seen him happy, and I wish him all the best.

“He’s a fantastic person and player, and a great captain. Changes in life are normal.”