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Liverpool’s call to approve Curtis Jones’ expected £30 million move to Inter Milan makes sense if viewed purely through a financial lens.

The midfielder is already into the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield, which means this summer is effectively the club’s last chance to bring in a sizeable transfer fee instead of risking the departure of a homegrown player for nothing next year.

Moving on an academy product gives Liverpool a tidy £30m lift on the balance sheet. But from a footballing point of view, crossing out a key central midfield option halfway through August is, quite clearly, a major call.

Unless a high-class replacement is already ready to arrive and the club have managed to keep it completely away from public view, one obvious question follows: what exactly are Liverpool doing?

Jones’ likely departure leaves Liverpool looking light in central midfield, with the side now depending heavily on a main trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Those three undoubtedly possess top Premier League quality, but the depth behind them is far less convincing.

Wataru Endo is still part of the squad, but the Japan international is essentially a practical, defensive reserve rather than a player built to start three games every week.

Nineteen-year-old Trey Nyoni has been involved throughout pre-season, but asking him to step in and replace one of the more experienced midfielders in that role would be a huge demand.

Heading into a season with, in effect, only three senior central midfielders competing for two starting places is a bold call.

That shortage of depth is even more puzzling when viewed against Andoni Iraola’s intense, high-pressing approach.

Iraola’s system depends on energy, relentless counter-pressing without the ball, and constant box-to-box running in central positions.

To expect Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai to maintain that level of physical intensity across four competitions is, in FourFourTwo's view, inviting problems.

In the modern game, muscle fatigue and soft-tissue injuries are almost unavoidable across a season of more than 50 matches.

The situation is made worse by Liverpool’s tendency to use central midfielders in emergency roles elsewhere on the pitch. In recent seasons, shortages in defence have repeatedly led to central players — most notably Szoboszlai — being used to cover at right-back.

If an injury at full-back forces Iraola to move Szoboszlai wide once more, Liverpool’s central midfield resources would be weakened immediately.

There is, of course, nearly a fortnight left before the transfer window closes, but the current rumour cycle offers very little reassurance.

Reports suggest Liverpool’s recruitment focus is currently fixed on signing a wide attacker rather than strengthening the middle of the pitch. Although links with Adam Wharton continue, any late move is expected to be firmly knocked back by Crystal Palace, who have no desire to lose one of their most valuable players so late in August.

And even if a transfer could be done, Wharton himself may prefer to wait for a rumoured move to Manchester City in 12 months’ time. By opting to take £30m for Jones as his contract nears its end, Liverpool may have resolved an accounting concern while leaving themselves just one injury away from a full-scale crisis.

Seen in isolation, taking £30m for Jones when he is close to contract expiry is smart business. But in the current situation, it can only truly be called good business if Liverpool already have another player lined up for that role — someone who fits Iraola’s demands and improves the overall profile of the squad. Even then, it still may not be enough, and Liverpool could end up running on empty by March, simply trying to get over the line.