Curtis Jones admits he wasn’t having ‘dig’ at Jurgen Klopp as he adresses remark

Curtis Jones was at the centre of a storm in pre-season when some thought he made pointed comments toward ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp but the midfielder has now clarified what he meant

Liverpool’s Curtis Jones has provided clarity on comments he made during pre-season regarding life at Liverpool under Arne Slot as opposed to Jurgen Klopp. The young midfielder turned heads when he revealed he was the “happiest” he’s been at the club.

Jones also made remarks on the team’s tactics, noting they seemed less hurried in their approach to attacking under Slot. This led some to interpret those comments as veiled jabs at Klopp.

However, the German gave the academy graduate his debut back in January 2019 and was known to have a healthy relationship with Jones, who has now explained his stance.

“It definitely wasn’t a dig at Jurgen,” Jones said to The Athletic. “I owe him so much. Jurgen changed me from a boy to a man. There were times when I thought I’d need a loan spell to get more game time but he kept me around the team.”

At the time, the 24-year-old claimed that Slot’s possession-based style suited his game. “He’s amazing,” Jones had told reporters during a press conference ahead of this season.

“It’s probably the happiest I’ve been in terms of a style of play that suits me. It’s a clear plan in training and he’s fully involved, coaching us a lot.”

Jones has since elaborated on the interview. “Jurgen made me understand the game a lot more from being a kid at the academy who was scoring and assisting all the time and didn’t really have to run,” he added.

“I could do whatever I wanted. The next step was to keep that ability but change stuff like passing the ball even more and the work off the ball. I wasn’t always the best kid, but I wasn’t arrogant or cocky. I just wanted the best for myself. He was the man who made me understand so much.”

Jones played his 37th game of the season on Sunday, as Slot’s team lost in the Carabao Cup Final against Newcastle United.

While the midfielder also missed a penalty in the Champions League last-16 shootout with PSG last week, it’s been comfortably his finest season since breaking into Liverpool’s first team.

Jones also earned praise for his candid response following Liverpool’s European Cup disappointment. “Stepping up and trying to help the team in every moment I can is the type of person that I am,” he said on Instagram post-match.

“This comes with risk and failing, last night I got a taste of that!”I can live with missing but I can’t live without taking the responsibility.”

His performances this season have now earned him a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. “I’m buzzing,” Jones told The Athletic. “To get called up shows how well you’re doing for your club.”

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