Liverpool could find themselves facing an intensifying battle to keep hold of one player after a harrowing development at the World Cup over the past 24 hours.<\/p>\n
Belgium\u2019s delight in beating co-hosts United States 4-1 overnight was tempered by a horrific injury to Amadou Onana, with\u00a0The Athletic<\/a>\u2018s David Ornstein reporting that the midfielder has torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which\u2019ll inevitably require a lengthy recovery period.<\/p>\n DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES \u2013 STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON\u00a0APPLE<\/a>\u00a0&\u00a0GOOGLE PLAY<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s claimed that Aston Villa hadn\u2019t been seeking to recruit in that position, but \u2018will now have to reassess the situation\u2019 after the devastating personal setback for the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n Onana injury could have an indirect impact on Liverpool<\/p>\n That could duly see Unai Emery\u2019s side step up their rumoured interest in Curtis Jones, with a prominent in-the-know account on X reporting in the past fortnight (via CaughtOffside<\/a>) that the Midlands club have opened talks with Liverpool regarding a potential swoop for the Toxteth native.<\/p>\n That comes amid an uncertain time for the 25-year-old, who\u2019s now into the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield and \u2013 as hinted by Fabrizio Romano<\/a> \u2013 may be open to opportunities elsewhere.<\/p>\n Paul Gorst reported over the weekend<\/a> that LFC\u2019s preference would be to reopen talks over a potential new deal for their number 17, although no such discussions are lined up imminently.<\/p>\n