A Liverpool star has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, with former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp having previously made his thoughts clear on the player
Jurgen Klopp has already made his thoughts clear on Tottenham transfer target Curtis Jones by heaping praise on the Liverpool midfielder. With Thomas Frank under huge pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and injuries mounting with each passing game, Spurs turned to the transfer market earlier this month, bringing in former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.
However, with Pape Sarr falling ill at AFCON, Rodrigo Bentancur out for a while due to injury and Joao Palhinha missing the 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Saturday, another midfield addition might be needed in north London during this transfer window.
Reports suggest Jones, who has seen limited playtime under Arne Slot at Anfield this season, is a player Tottenham have considered. The Englishman has the endorsement of Klopp, who helped nurse him through Liverpool's academy ranks.
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The Times claim Spurs are keen on the 24-year-old, who has only started 10 Premier League matches this season, although it remains to be seen whether this interest persists following Tottenham’s signing of Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.
Speaking in 2020, Klopp was left amazed by a young Jones after he delivered a standout performance in a 7-2 Carabao Cup victory against Lincoln. He had been gradually integrating the midfielder into Liverpool's first team.
When asked about Jones, who scored two goals in the win, Klopp was full of admiration and said: "First half really good, start of the second half really good.
"There is still space for improvement but everyone knows my opinion of Curtis Jones, he is an exceptional talent and we will have some fun with him I am pretty sure in the future.
"Both goals were difficult. The second one the first touch was absolutely exceptional between two opponents and then he opens up and sees the opportunity and finishes it off."
In the following years, Jones would become a key member of Klopp's squad, securing two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cup trophies.
When Klopp left Liverpool in 2024, a documentary was produced about his time in charge and he once again had some positive and choice words about the English midfielder.
"He was never in doubt that he will make it, which I love that so much," said Klopp. "It's so different to my personality. I have no idea how I arrived here, he knows he's absolutely in the right place.
"I always could understand the player. That they hated me if they didn't come on or didn't start, or whatever, because I was no different.
"So when I go and tell him 'Curtis, you have to pass the ball more often'. And he has to learn that the ball from now on when he passes to whoever, there's a good chance he will do something special, or you'll get it back."