The Blackpool forward’s father, Paul, says his son is not yet ready for a return to Anfield and spoke to Swansea City and Stoke City about a move before opting for Selhurst Park
Tom Ince turned down the chance to return to Liverpool on loan in January in favour of a move to Crystal Palace, according to his father, Paul.
The Blackpool forward was granted a loan move to a Premier League club until the end of the season by the Championship side and was the subject of interest from a number of teams, including Swansea City and Stoke City.
The Anfield club were also keen on temporarily re-signing their former youth product, but the 22-year-old’s father believes a move to a lower-placed Premier League side will be better for his son’s development.
“Liverpool were in but I don’t think Thomas is ready to go to Liverpool yet,” Ince senior told talkSPORT.
“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 City at this point.
“Maybe in two or three years’ time that might be a move for him.”
Crystal Palace sit 17th in the Premier League table, a point above West Ham, with Ince in line to make his debut against West Brom at Selhurst Park on February 8.