{
  "id": 2099814,
  "title": "Liverpool have ‘pulled the plug’ on midfielder’s exit despite ‘agreement’ being reached",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/liverpool-have-pulled-the-plug-on-midfielders-exit-despite-agreement",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T08:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/liverpool-pulled-plug-midfielder-exit-081500132.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liverpool have decided against allowing midfielder Curtis Jones to leave the club despite reaching an agreement for him to join Inter Milan. The 21-year-old England international is part of a homegrown talent at Anfield, having played for the club since the age of 16. Additionally, another academy graduate, James McConnell, had been set to move to Preston on loan, but Liverpool has blocked that transfer as well. Lewis Steele, from the Daily Mail, reported that Liverpool \"pulled the plug\" on McConnell's planned move, even though there was a deal agreed upon and he was promised regular playing time. Despite this, McConnell has reportedly had a meeting with Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes, who stated that there is no official pecking order in midfield, and both Jones and McConnell have opportunities to earn playing time. Jones' move to Inter Milan and McConnell's potential stay at Liverpool could provide more opportunities for the younger midfielder to establish himself.",
  "summary": "Liverpool have ‘pulled the plug’ on one player’s proposed exit from Anfield despite a deal having been agreed with the club he was set to join.The Reds are preparing to say goodbye to homegrown ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}