Jürgen Klopp has explained why it was necessary to reward Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones with a new long-term contract.
The Reds boss explained how the 19-year-old midfielder, who signed a new contract on Friday night to extend his commitment to the club until 2025, had a huge impact on training with the first team in Melwood.
The German also said it was important to note the steps Jones took this season after he made his top bow for Liverpool in Bournemouth in December and another run at West Ham United in January -out had achieved.
“It’s great news,” Klopp told the official club website after being asked about the new contract.
“One from our children’s department, if you like, that has grown up in recent years.
“It is really good to see what steps he has taken and what effects he has on training.
“We also had to make sure that, especially with young players, we treat the contracts they receive seriously and responsibly.”
“It’s about doing the right thing at the right time for the boys who want to go this way with us. They trust us, so we have to make sure we see it when they take the crucial steps.”
Jones regularly participated in the national cup competitions this season, scoring the penalty shootout against Arsenal in the League Cup in October and, strikingly, scored the only goal in the third round of the FA Cup at home against Everton in January.
The local teenager, who has been in the club since his U9 class, initially impressed Klopp as a 17-year-old on the US tour in the summer of 2018 and made his senior debut in 2019 in the FA Cup defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers in January.
Jones, who had just signed a contract in August 2019, was still a regular under-23 player this season and was the standout player in the UEFA Youth League campaign in Liverpool.
After sitting on the bench in the last two senior games, he hopes to gain further prominence in the Premier League this season, starting at Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
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