Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones celebrates scoring a goal. (Photo by Carl Racine/Getty Images)
Arne Slott has revealed how he helped Curtis Jones become a ‘more effective’ midfielder for Liverpool.
A product of the club’s youth system, Jones has made 152 appearances for the Reds to date, scoring 18 goals and providing 18 assists.
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However, Jones often struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under Jurgen Klopp, coming on for a few games before dropping to the bench instead.
That all changed this season, with 10 of Jones’ 19 appearances in all competitions coming from the start, including 10 Premier League and Champions League starts.
Jones has registered two goals and three assists in that time, while he is first among Reds players with 100+ minutes completed (15.91) for final third passes per 90 minutes.
This form helped Jones earn his first two senior caps for England, His debut goal 3-0 UEFA Nations League win over Greece in November and played 79 minutes Beat Ireland 5-0.
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Jones has undoubtedly raised his level since Slott’s arrival in the summer.
The Dutch manager has now opened up about how he has helped the 23-year-old make his level ‘easier’.
“He enjoys playing soccer every day, always with a smile. He always wants the ball. We struggled together. In my opinion, he touched the ball too much, but now he plays easier and it makes him more effective at what he does,” Slott said (via TBR)
“Good work rate, good man, good player, he always wants the ball and is very comfortable when he has it. I think that makes him an all-round midfielder for us and for England at the moment.”
