Liverpool star Curtis Jones admits he's happier with Arne Slot than Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has spoken about the start to life under new head coach Arne Slot and how it is better than under Jurgen Klopp.
Jones was brought into the first-team set-up under Klopp back in 2019 and since then he has progressed into a consistent first-team option.
At just 23-years-old Jones still has potential to unlock and it seemed as though last season he was finally nailing down a starting spot in midfield.
That was until he had an unfortunate injury to his ankle in the second half of the season after some issues with it near the start of the campaign.
He will certainly be looking to nail down a starting spot under Slot as everyone is vying for a position due to the fresh start and no new signings in the door yet.
JONES CLAIMS HE HAS NEVER BEEN HAPPIER
After Slot’s press conference previewing Liverpool’s friendly against Real Betis, Jones was brought out to the media to answer some questions.
When he was asked about how life has started under the new head coach he gave a very strong answer.
He said: “There’s a change and I am excited. The lads are as well. We are all out there with a smile on our face, enjoying the sun. It’s probably the happiest I’ve been.
"In terms of a style of play, it suits us and the lads we have. It is a clear plan. He is fully involved in the training, coaches us a lot, he’s big on the finer details.”
Under Klopp, midfielders were viewed as more workhorses to protect the defence and plug any gaps that had opened up due to the full-backs moving forward.
As well as this it was always about how quickly they could get the ball on the attack rather than taking their time.
That seems to have changed already under Slot and Jones admits he prefers it that way.
He continued: “Again, it’s the happiest I’ve been. It has always been a hard time, I came around the team as a young lad.
“I always had a way of playing but I had to adapt and change. That was part of the plan. It wasn't anything I couldn’t do. But this now is more me. I can get on the ball more. I can ‘do me’ more.”
Even though there is change Jones wanted everyone to understand that all the good work that has been instilled into him by Klopp is still there.
He explained: “Of course, the principles are the same but the new midfielders are going to be the heart of the team. I say that in a way that of course, Mo Salah is always going to get his goals.
"But in terms of our build-up and being comfortable on the ball, we have to be more calm and play more as a team. We’re not in a rush to attack.”
Fans will get to see this approach in action from Jones as well as many other academy products as they are expected to be involved against Real Betis.