Adam Lallana has claimed that Jurgen Klopp starting Curtis Jones in the Champions League in midweek proves that the Liverpool boss now ‘trusts him’, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
The Brighton midfielder added that Jones has developed into a ‘disciplined’ midfielder at Liverpool and is no longer taking unnecessary risks.
When Lallana was on Merseyside, Jones was still breaking through as a fresh-faced teenager.
From that nerveless League Cup penalty against Arsenal on debut to his FA Cup goal against Everton.
It has been a drama-filled early part of the journey for the boyhood Liverpool fan and he is only getting better.
But Lallana, from his days at Liverpool to now, shared his thoughts on Jones and the youngster now seemingly being trusted more by his manager.
“Jurgen starting Curtis just shows how much he trusts him,” said Lallana. “When I was there, he was still learning his trade.
“Maybe he might have taken a few too many risks. But I think he has developed into a disciplined midfielder, who knows when to express himself and when not to.
“Not to keep it simple, but know when to take risks, especially with the front three playing.”
From Harvey Elliott to Jones himself, when Klopp does leave Merseyside, the future will still be bright for the club.
Whilst many will talk about the trophies won, and rightly so, it’s the legacy the German will leave behind that will probably be the most impressive.
During the next ten years, Jones, Elliott, Caoimhin Kelleher and Trent Alexander-Arnold… and more, will be hoping to still be shining bright on Merseyside.
Either way, whilst it may feel like Jones has been around for a while, he can still be considered a youngster and it might just be a few more years before he cements his place in the Liverpool midfield.
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