Curtis Jones has put behind him a fantastic six months in a Liverpool shirt. The Scouser was rumored to be leaving the club in the spring of this year, but since then a lot has changed for the soon-to-be 23-year-old midfielder.
During the national team break, which the 22-year-old often watches from the sofa at home, he made time to appear on a recent episode of the We Are Liverpool podcast.
Jones is looking forward to using his experience to work his way into a more important place in Jurgen Klopp’s team.
– There has been a big change in the team, and I am one of those who stayed here. It’s crazy to say, because I’m only 22, but I still have five years of first-team experience. There are boys coming now, and this is the first time they have been in the team, so I have already become an experienced person who has been with me throughout the whole thing,” he continues:
– Although I am young, I feel that I am one of the most experienced players, and I know how the coach and technical staff want to play.
Changing mindset
In his younger days, Jones was known as a skilled ball-handler, with a string of goals and assists. Over the past few years his attitude has changed as has the mentality of the Liverpool product.
– Klopp talked a lot about how I have to be the first to press. When I was young and a trader, this job was never my thing! “No, I don’t need this part of the game” I was thinking a lot. We’ve been working a lot on this, and it also shows how much I’ve changed,” says the 22-year-old.
At the end of last season, the Scouser became one of Germany’s most trusted men and the same continued into the autumn, despite missing eight matches due to injury and suspension.
– I feel like we have reached a point where Klopp understands that he can include me if the team loses, because I can create something. He can also start me in big matches because he knows I’m giving my best and not hiding. I always want the ball and I’m never afraid.
Manchester City itself is awaiting, on Saturday, at Etihad Stadium, a match that may represent the most difficult season in the English Premier League. The 22-year-old could have a chance to start, especially given Alexis McAllister will be making a late return from national team training.
– I’ve played 100 matches, but I feel like this is just the beginning. “I just want to keep going, find a good level and continue in the same way,” he concludes.
The ‘We Are Liverpool’ podcast with Curtis Jones will be released at 08:00 on Tuesday morning. It’s available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and LFCTV GO.
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