YOUTH QUAKE Jurgen’s young ones can really shake things up
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CURTIS JONES says Jurgen Klopp is ready to give Liverpool’s youngsters the chance to break into his worldclass squad.
The 19-year-old became the club’s youngest captain when he skippered the side to victory against Shrewsbury in Tuesday’s FA Cup replay.
The midfielder is tipped for the top but it won’t be easy with the current Reds first team the reigning world and European champions.
They are also 22 points clear at the top of the Premier League, but despite the daunting prospect, Jones insists Kop boss Klopp gives young players hope they can make the grade.
“For any player on the outside looking in, they might say Liverpool is a hard team to get in, in terms of the players they have in each position,” said Jones.
“They have a world-class starting XI, but everyone sees the gaffer is there for the youth and has belief in them.
“That is why he gives us this opportunity, and gave me other opportunities along the way. I am sure the rest of the boys will get theirs in time.
“For any young player coming into a team like this, where there are players who are the best in the world, you have to go out there confident and stand up and show what you are capable of doing.”
Liverpool’s side was managed by Under-23s boss Neil Critchley after Klopp refused to take the team in protest at the scheduling of the replay.
The German coach was not happy the FA put fourth-round replays at the start of the Premier League’s new mid-season break and instructed his 22 senior players to go on holiday.
Jones revealed the first-team stars were busy sending messages to the youngsters ahead of their win over the League One side at Anfield, which has set up a trip to Chelsea.
Jones, who, along with Harvey Elliott, is in contention for an England Under-21 call-up next month, added: “The players have been sending messages, wishing us luck and texting us individually, to tell us what we need to do in our game and how to impress and help the team.
“The stuff they were saying will benefit individuals going forward in the future.”
Another of Klopp’s youngsters, Neco Williams, could be in line for a call-up to the Wales squad for next month’s friendlies against Austria and USA.
Dragons boss Ryan Giggs has received glowing reports about the 18-year-old full-back from his technical staff after he impressed again in the win over Shrewsbury.
Williams admitted he has been modelling his game on that of fellow Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“He’s obviously one of the best right-backs in the world right now, so every day I’m training with him I’m picking up little things each day and trying to bring it into my own game,” said Williams.
“Being at Melwood every day is a learning day for me and to train with one of the best teams in the world, if not the best team in the world right now, is going to make you a better player.”