Liverpool star Curtis Jones has clarified his comments about being ‘happiest’ under Arne Slot, explaining how he ‘loves’ Jurgen Klopp and was misunderstood.
Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager after the German tactician decided to take a break from football after nine years with the Premier League giant. With Slot now in-charge, Liverpool players are getting to know about his tactics at their ongoing preseason tour.
Jones last week waxed lyrical about Slot and claimed he was happier than he had ever been with a play style that suits him.
However, he has brushed away claims he was disrespecting Klopp by revealing how much the German has meant for him and his career.
Jurgen Klopp and Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on April 24, 2024 in Liverpool, England.(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
‘The principles are always the same; we want to work hard, press, dominate teams. That’s what I think came across a little bit wrong,’ he told The Redmen TV after Liverpool’s 2-1 pre-season win over Arsenal.
‘I’d like to say now on this, I’ve seen things that it seemed like I was disrespectful in a way. But Jurgen knows I’d never be that kid. He knows how much I love him, that I love all of his staff.
‘It was just me saying that how I’m going to play now is a little bit of a change.
‘He’s given me the platform and belief in myself to know I’m a kid who can step up as well, I’m not just a kid who’s just a squad lad, I can really be counted on. I don’t want to take away anything from him and get that across.
‘How many games have I played? It’s all because of him. There were times when I was being told I need to go out on loan, or I might need to leave the club.
‘And he was the man, he’s stuck there the whole time.’
He added: ‘I didn’t mean any harm and he knows how much love I’ve got for him and the whole of his staff.’
Jones is hoping to nail down a consistent place in Slot’s starting XI, something he never quite managed under Klopp. He is now 133 appearances into his Reds career after debuting in 2019.
