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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard wants to see the Reds keep hold of their academy stars -Credit:Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool should resist letting Curtis Jones depart this summer - emphasizing the importance of retaining the club's finest homegrown talent.
Jones attracted interest from Serie A champions Inter Milan in January and has previously drawn attention from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
The city-center-born midfielder is understood to be seeking increased playing time at Anfield, though Arne Slot suggested in February that negotiations are ongoing with his representatives regarding a contract extension, as per the Liverpool Echo.
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Curtis Jones could be on his way out of Anfield as he pushes for more gametime -Credit:Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Speaking during a visit to Malaysia, Gerrard stressed that Liverpool must hold onto the top performers from their Academy system, specifically mentioning Jones, whom he managed as Under-18s coach in 2018.
"I think the academy system at our club is crucial and vital," Gerrard said. "It's important we keep producing home-grown talents.
"I think naturally, being around the city, growing up in the city, we understand the demands of the club, the style, what the fans want.
"It's embedded in us because we know the city inside out. I wouldn't allow Curtis Jones to leave. I wished and hoped that Trent (Alexander-Arnold) didn't leave us.
"Certainly, you'll understand and respect every player has got their own career and can make their own decisions."
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Gerrard added: "But it's very difficult to replace a player at Trent's level because he's world-class. Hopefully, hopefully, he might return one day.
"I think it's critical and key that we keep producing home-grown talent, and what you do have to say is that Liverpool have been really good at that.
"If you look back, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Trent, myself, even the likes of players like Jay Spearing and Stephen Warnock who don't play the [same] amount of games, but they still come into the team and they understand the values and the principles of what we're about."
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