WHAT HAPPENED?
The Liverpool academy graduate is giving his best shot to rediscover his career under Slot after struggling to find regular game time during the reign of Klopp at Anfield. Although, he played 36 times in the 2023-24 season, more than any previous campaign, Jones feels that his potential remains unrealised and Slot's possession-based tactics will be a welcome change.
WHAT JONES SAID
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“He’s amazing. It’s probably the happiest I’ve been,” the Liverpool midfielder said while speaking to reporters at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, the training facility of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“As a style of play, it suits me. It is a clear plan. Arne is fully involved in the training, he coaches us a lot, he’s big on the finer details. He knows it’s going to take a bit of time because it’s a big change. I came around the team as a young lad. I always had a way of playing, but I had to adapt and change. It wasn’t anything I couldn’t do. But this now is more me. I can get on the ball more. I can ‘do me’ more.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Jones revealed that he made adjustments to his style under Klopp, particularly in terms of tactical discipline and off-the-ball work. Although it helped him to develop into one of the squad's top athletes, as he embraced the pressing game Klopp favoured - in the process lost a bit of his identity.
“My way of playing has always been to get on the ball and play, help the team, and be comfortable on the ball,” he said.
“I then came around a team who had world-class lads on the wing and up front. The centre-mids were always more like runners, more disciplined. Now the midfielders are going to be the heart of the team. In terms of our build-up, we have to be more calm and play more as a team. We’re not in a rush to attack. We want to have the ball and just break teams down. In the past, it was kind of a rush. It was a bit too direct, it was up and down. Now Arne wants us to have all the ball and completely kill teams.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite his critique, Jones holds no ill will towards Klopp, who played a significant role in his professional development.
“I am happy he could walk away as a legend of the club and can experience life with his family now,” he said. “When I first came around the team as a young kid, more experienced and older players were established. I had a job on my hands. I always had that self-belief that I’d find an edge over them."
With the arrival of Slot, Jones sees an opportunity for a fresh start.
"Now with a new guy coming in, I don’t think anyone has the edge over anyone else," he added.
"Everyone sees it as a clean slate. The ones who show it more now are the ones who will play. Arne always has a smile on his face. You can approach him at any time and ask for help. He’s brought in a new thing that we’ve all got — a guy we work with showing us our clips from the training of what we’re doing well and what we can improve on. I find that a huge help.”
WHAT NEXT FOR JONES?
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As Liverpool gears up for the upcoming season, Jones is eager to prove himself and contribute to the team’s success. With a renewed focus on possession and creativity, he hopes to secure a regular starting spot by impressing the Dutch manager during the pre-season friendlies against Real Betis, Arsenal, Manchester United and Sevilla.
