Jürgen Klopp: Curtis is a proper, proper part of this squad
Jürgen Klopp takes satisfaction from witnessing Curtis Jones' ongoing progress at first-hand.
The Liverpool midfielder earned his maiden call-up to England U21s on Friday morning, having clocked up a 17th appearance for the senior Reds side in the Carabao Cup clash with Arsenal the previous evening.
Klopp described the 19-year-old as a ‘proper, proper part of this squad’ when asked about Jones at his pre-Aston Villa press conference – and detailed his own delight at seeing a young player develop in such fashion.
“A lot, a lot,” he said. “It’s improvement and development on different levels.
“On a personal level, on a football level – it’s really nice being around when a big, big, big talent, young talent, grows up pretty much and matures over the time. It’s really nice to be around and that’s what I enjoy a lot.
“Curtis, I have to say is just a proper, proper part of this squad, which is really already an achievement, if you want. Nothing you want to tell your grandkids [about], because if it’s the best thing you ever did in your life it’s not so nice. But for the age group he is in, it’s massive.
“Nobody would have a bad sleep the night before the game if I tell them Curtis will start tomorrow, in whichever Premier League game. So that’s good news.
“From that perspective, I have to say for me it’s completely logical that he is in the U21 squad for England because he is just ahead of his age group, I would say. And so U21 is exactly the team he should play for [at] England in the moment.”