Steven Gerrard has sent a clear message to Liverpool: don't let Curtis Jones walk out the door. The Reds legend, speaking during a visit to Malaysia, urged the club to hold onto their homegrown midfielder, who has been linked with a move away from Anfield in search of more game time.

Jones, a product of Liverpool's academy, has attracted interest from Serie A champions Inter Milan, as well as Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa. The 24-year-old is reportedly pushing for increased minutes on the pitch, though manager Arne Slot hinted in February that contract extension talks are ongoing.

Gerrard, who coached Jones during his time as Liverpool's Under-18s boss in 2018, knows a thing or two about the value of academy talent. "I think the academy system at our club is crucial and vital," he said. "It's important we keep producing homegrown talents. 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."

The former captain didn't mince words when it came to Jones's future. "I wouldn't allow Curtis Jones to leave," Gerrard stated firmly. He also reflected on Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure, adding, "I wished and hoped that Trent didn't leave us. But you have to understand and respect that every player has their own career and can make their own decisions."

Gerrard emphasized the difficulty of replacing world-class talent like Alexander-Arnold, but remained hopeful about the future. "Hopefully, he might return one day. I think it's critical and key that we keep producing homegrown talent, and what you do have to say is that Liverpool have been really good at that."

Drawing on the club's rich history, Gerrard pointed to a long line of academy graduates who made their mark at Anfield, from Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher to Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, and himself. Even players like Jay Spearing and Stephen Warnock, he noted, contributed to the club's identity. For Liverpool fans, the message is clear: the future of the club lies in nurturing its own, and Curtis Jones is a key piece of that puzzle.