Sunderland manager Steve Bruce says Kenwyne Jones has been unsettled by reports of a loan move to Liverpool.
The 25-year-old striker has been strongly linked with a switch to Anfield after injuries to three of Liverpool's top goalscorers.
Bruce admitted that Jones was not on top form in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup defeat by Portsmouth, saying: "It certainly has unsettled him.
"His performance on Saturday reiterated that - and that's my fear."
Bruce has been angered by Liverpool's pursuit of the Trinidad & Tobago frontman and last week he said their efforts to sign him were "disrespectful".
Jones, who joined Sunderland for £6m in 2007 and signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract last January, has been targeted by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as he looks to bolster his goalscoring options following injuries to Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun.
Reports claimed Benitez was keen to recruit Jones on loan until the end of the season, possibly as a swap for out-of-favour Reds forward Ryan Babel.
The 25-year-old striker has been strongly linked with a switch to Anfield after injuries to three of Liverpool's top goalscorers.
Bruce admitted that Jones was not on top form in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup defeat by Portsmouth, saying: "It certainly has unsettled him.
"His performance on Saturday reiterated that - and that's my fear."
Bruce has been angered by Liverpool's pursuit of the Trinidad & Tobago frontman and last week he said their efforts to sign him were "disrespectful".
Jones, who joined Sunderland for £6m in 2007 and signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract last January, has been targeted by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as he looks to bolster his goalscoring options following injuries to Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun.
Reports claimed Benitez was keen to recruit Jones on loan until the end of the season, possibly as a swap for out-of-favour Reds forward Ryan Babel.
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