Liverpool star Curtis Jones praised head coach Arne Slot and his coaching staff after enjoying healthy development under Jurgen Klopp. Jones is part of the English national team for the UEFA Nations League games during the current November international break.
The 23-year-old has played a pivotal role for Liverpool under Slot, competing with highly talented midfield teammates at the club. Jones provides something different to Slot than other midfield options who also have different key attributes and styles of play.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed the new tactical style that Slot is installing gradually while their philosophical method remains the same. Liverpool have played with the same high-pressing system but prioritized game control and finding the balance between risk and reward.
The Reds played a direct attacking brand of football under Klopp which required players of different profiles in specific areas. For example, Liverpool required a Fabinho kind of defensive midfielder under Klopp compared to Ryan Gravenberch number six under Slot.
The subtle changes have helped the club maintain its structure and eliminate spaces while letting players display their stronger attributes. Liverpool have won 15 out of 17 games in all competitions so far despite facing formidable opponents in fixture congestion.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, Liverpool academy’s own Jones highlighted his development under Klopp and taking the opportunity provided by Slot. He said:
“I mean yeah I’ve improved [under Arne Slot] but again I’m almost on 150 games so it’s not as if I’ve had 100 plus bad games and you know Jurgen [Klopp] and his staff, they always showed faith in me. I’ve had injuries and stuff along the way. You know, being out of the team so you know it’s always hard to be in and out of the team. I feel like this has been a point where I’ve come in the team and I’ve played and kept my place and I say all the time, the more games I play, the better you know I play.”
Jones praised the style of play that Slot prefers as it suits him more, allowing him to display his strengths. He added:
“I am just going into the game just enjoying it more, I think it is the style of play that I think that suits me more that allows me to really be me. I think it’s the maturity and experience and kinda like a fresh start as well. I think Jurgen had done an amazing job and then Arne and his staff have come in and you know the style of play has changed and it suits me more.”
Jones has played 13 games in all competitions so far, scoring one goal and providing four assists for Liverpool this season. The 23-year-old’s ability to wiggle his way out of tight spaces and maintain possession is a key in this system.
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The 23-year-old has developed immensely and shows impressive press resistance while his off-the-ball work rate is second to none. Jones needs to add consistency to his game and avoid injury issues as his potential is immense and deserves fulfilment.
