Paul Ince: 'Liverpool wanted Thomas Ince'

Paul Ince has claimed that Liverpool were interested in signing his son, Thomas Ince, in the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old completed a move to Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day after entering negotiations with a number of clubs and his father believes that it was the correct decision not to push for a transfer to Liverpool, who allowed the England Under-21 international to leave the club in 2011.

"Liverpool were in but I don't think Thomas is ready to go to Liverpool yet," the former Blackpool manager told journalists.

"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 recently suggested that his sacking from Blackpool played a part in his son's departure.