• Premier League

Ince not ready for Liverpool yet

ESPN staff
February 5, 2014
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Former Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince says his son Tom turned down a move to Anfield in January as he was not "ready" to play for such a big club.

Ince Jr, 22, courted much attention during the transfer window, with the likes of Swansea, Stoke, Hull and Crystal Palace all vying for his signature.

In the end it was Palace who lured the England under-21 international away from Blackpool, signing him on loan until the end of the season, with a permanent deal likely then.

Liverpool also renewed a long standing interest in Ince, but his father revealed the winger opted against joining the Reds as he felt it would be better for his development.

"Liverpool were in but I don't think Thomas is ready to go to Liverpool yet," Ince told Sky Sports.

"Brendan [Rodgers] has done very well there and he does play the kids but for his progression as a footballer it needed to be a Stoke, a Swansea, a Palace or a Hull at this point.

"Maybe in two or three years' time that might be a move for him."

Ince was one of five January signings for Palace alongside Wayne Hennessey, Scott Dann, Jason Puncheon and Joe Ledley, while Liverpool failed to bring in any new faces after deadline day talks with Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka broke down.

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