Curtis Jones has addressed recent claims that he disrespected Jurgen Klopp with his comments during a press conference.
In 2019, Jones made his senior Liverpool debut under Klopp in an FA Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Since then, he has made 133 appearances and scored 16 goals for Liverpool while working with the German manager.
With Klopp now no longer at Liverpool, Jones recently shared his thoughts on the impact of the new head coach, Arne Slot. During a press conference on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, Jones expressed his enthusiasm for Slot’s approach: “This is the happiest I have been. Arne is amazing. It’s probably the happiest I have been. His style of play suits us and the players we have. He has a clear plan, is deeply involved in training, focuses on the finer details.
“In the past, it felt rushed. When we regained possession, it was often too direct. Arne prefers us to control the ball and completely dominate teams.”
Jones added: “Arne has a specific style of play, and he understands that it will take some time since it’s a significant shift. However, he and his staff are relaxed about it. They know there is quality in the squad, and we still have players returning.”
Following his comments, some fans accused Jones of disrespecting Klopp. In response, after Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Wednesday, Jones told Redmen TV: “The core principles remain the same; we aim to work hard, press, and dominate teams.
“I think my words might have been misinterpreted, leading to perceptions that I was disrespectful. But Jurgen knows I’d never act that way. He understands how much I respect him and his staff.”
Jones went on: “I was merely highlighting that my current style of play is different. Jurgen provided me with the platform and confidence to prove that I’m not just a squad player, but someone who can be relied upon.”
