Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Atalanta tomorrow, and he’s reserved special praise for Curtis Jones.
When asked about the teenager, the Liverpool Echo quote Klopp as saying: ‘Very positive. Not too surprised about it. An exceptional talent. Everyone can see what an exceptional player he can be. His personal development is more positive than his sporting one. He has taken the next step and I am pleased for him.’
The 19-year-old recently made his second Premier League start of the season against Leicester, and delivered a fine display against the Foxes.
Jones – who has two goals this season – played 90 minutes against Brendan Rodgers’ side, registering two key passes and one shot on target as WhoScored shows.
Having broken into the first-team last season, it feels as if the England Under-21 international is a proper member of Klopp’s squad right now.
Jones has done tremendously well to force his way into the former Borussia Dortmund manager’s thinking, especially when Liverpool’s midfield is one of their most overpopulated areas.
Klopp has the likes of Fabinho, Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner to choose from in midfield.
However, a number of those options are currently injured, or needed in other areas. As a result, Jones has benefitted.
If the Liverpool-born prodigy can stay fit himself, it feels like he’s going to get a lot of action under Klopp at Anfield.
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