'Had to change' - Curtis Jones admits Liverpool…

'Had to change' - Curtis Jones admits Liverpool 'shock' after Jurgen Klopp call

Curtis Jones believes he is now reaping the benefits of being forced to change his game after the "shock" of needing to adapt to the Liverpool first team.

Jones posted one of the best performances of his Reds career when scoring twice in the 3-0 Premier League win at struggling Leicester City on Monday evening.

Having been sidelined for much of the season, the 22-year-old midfielder has now started Liverpool's last nine games and has become a key part of the new-look tactical approach that has seen Trent Alexander-Arnold regularly step into more central areas with devastating effect.

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And now approaching a century of appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side, Jones reckons he now has a much better understanding of what is required.

"I’ve had to change my game a lot," he said. "In my Academy days I have always been a lad who just wanted to have the ball, run, run, run and shoot and score and try to assist. I’m at a point now where the game is more of an attacking and defending player, so if I don’t have the ball I have to go and press and make sure the space is closed.

"I’ve always said that (there would be more to come). Being a kid in the Academy days I’ve always scored goals and I wouldn’t say I’ve been the star kid but I’ve always been the kid who has jumped up the age groups.

"Then I came around the first team and it was kind of a shock where the whole of the game changes, so I’ve had to make a change to the whole of my game. But I’m adapting well and I think it’s the best run I’ve had for a while."

Jones made his senior debut as a 17-year-old more than four years ago but, until his current run, had previously only managed five successive Premier League starts at the most.

And speaking to liverpoolfc.com, he added: "In terms of confidence, I’ve always been the same lad. I’ve always had the belief in myself but it’s been a tough time, I’ve had the injuries and stuff so I’ve not really had a full run of games in the past.

"But I came in against Chelsea and I kept my shirt and I’ve still got the shirt now. I’m enjoying it, I’m being humble and keeping my two feet on the ground and I know what it takes, so that’s what I’m doing."

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