Jurgen Klopp apologises to 'really cool' Liverpool star over lack of game time

11 January 2024 , 09:20

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Jurgen Klopp apologises to 'really cool' Liverpool star over lack of game time

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has issued a light-hearted apology to Curtis Jones over his lack of first-team minutes aftere the midfielder shined during the 2-1 win over Fulham.

The Reds welcomed Marco Silva's men to Anfield for the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final and the home faithful were stunned early on when Willian fired Fulham in front. However, a late second-half turnaround ensured it was Liverpool who go into the second-leg with their tails up.

Jones bagged the equaliser, though his strike from distance did take a huge deflection off of Tosin Adarabioyo before finding the net. Cody Gakpo netted the winner, but Jones was the standout performer on the night as he boosted his chances of becoming a regular in the starting line-up.

The Reds academy graduate has been in and around the first-team for a number of years now, but is often seen coming off the bench for the biggest games and seeing his starts come against lesser sides or in lesser competitions. This season has seen Jones make just seven Premier League starts.

After the game, he explained how more minutes on the pitch is serving him well, helping him improve and that now the focus is on maintaining the level required. The comments seemed to go down well with his manager, who did suggest perhaps he hadn't used Jones as much as he should have.

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"Curtis is super, super, super important to us and he knows that," the Liverpool manager explained. "Coincidentally I heard his interview and the only thing to break through was 'I need more game time'. I love that! So sorry Curtis that I didn’t give you more game time earlier.

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Curtis Jones bagged a goal against Fulham during the 2-1 win (Getty Images)

"He has made big steps. He looked like the fittest player on the whole pitch. He got a knock, I think a dead leg, he went down, but then a second later he turned around and scored.

"A good footballer, very, very good – he always was… but using these skills, he is now for me, for him for everybody thank god, doing it consistently. That is really cool. He made big steps in defensive things, which gives him a better feeling for the game.

"It is a joy to have the boy around because he has this natural scouse confidence and it is really cool."

Liverpool boast a one goal advantage going into the second-leg at Craven Cottage in just under two weeks' time, but for now Klopp's focus will be firmly on Saturday's trip to Bournemouth as the Reds aim to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Josh O'Brien