Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy is convinced management see Curtis Jones ready to succeed the departing Gini Wijnaldum.

Wijnaldum's contract at Anfield is due to expire this summer, and it is seemingly inevitable that he will end his five-year stay with the Reds.

Murphy believes that the club decided not to renew the 30-year-old's contract due to youngster Jones breaking into the first-team squad at Anfield.

Jones was involved in 34 games for the Reds this season, of which he started 22, having made his first-team debut back in January 2019.

“Probably the reason why they have not moved heaven and earth to keep him is the emergence of Curtis Jones," Murphy told Stadium Astro.

“What I understand, and the evidence is there in terms of the games he's played, but there are high hopes for Jones playing in that position, left of a three, rather than a front player.

“Probably the emergence of him has made them decide that they're going to let him go."