Jurgen Klopp claims 'remarkable' Curtis Jones can be number six solution for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Curtis Jones can 'absolutely' play in the number six role for Liverpool, though he admits the club are looking to make new signings.

22-year-old Jones is one of a number of players who have been tested in the deeper-lying midfield position in pre-season, in the absence of a fit, specialist option.

Fabinho has now officially joined Al-Ittihad, James Milner and Jordan Henderson have also left, while Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic and Tyler Morton continue their recoveries from injury, thus leaving Liverpool without any natural choices to play at the base of midfield.

While Liverpool continue their search for a long-term Fabinho successor — a fresh bid will be made for Romeo Lavia — Klopp has insisted that Jones can play in the role too, as long as he has support from the rest of the team.

READ MORE: 4 things to look out for in Liverpool's pre-season clash with Bayern Munich

"I think it is no secret that we are still looking for players to join us," Klopp said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's clash with Bayern, via Liverpoolfc.com.

"That's one thing and the other thing is using what you have and I think Curtis [Jones] can absolutely play that position [number six].

"Can he play it when nobody else is defending in the team? No. No chance, but I don't know any player who can play it then."

Klopp added that he sees the current squad situation as a 'positive challenge', while highlighting Jones' 'remarkable' development in recent months.

"A proven six is not available to us at the moment," he said. "Will we make an excuse of that and say, 'OK, how can we do that?' Then we have a problem because during a season a lot of things can happen, that was always the case.

"If you see it as a challenge and if you see it as a positive challenge, try to find a way to be compact anyway or even more so and to find a way to deny the opponent, and our world-class opponent tomorrow obviously, if we do that together it's always possible.

"Then in possession there's no doubt that Curtis can have a massive impact from that position.

"I think his development in the last few months since he's with us is really remarkable. [He was] held back by some [injuries], especially by the last injury, which was really not helpful, wrong moment, too long, everything. Not his fault but just happens with young players.

"Before that, the steps he made were really good. For his young age he played for Liverpool already incredible games but was not stable until a year ago or so, then bad injury. Meanwhile, he looks stable and the Euros gave him, for sure, confidence.

"So, yeah, having him on the pitch makes sense. In this position, if nobody else is there, he can play that, definitely."

Liverpool face German champions Bayern Munich at 12:30 BST on Wednesday, 2 August in Singapore.