James Milner hails 'massive difference' in improving Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones

Impressed: Milner likes what he's seen of Reds youngster Curtis Jones
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
David Lynch26 September 2019

James Milner singled out Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones for the "massive" steps he has taken in the last 12 months after his impressive contributions to Wednesday's EFL Cup win over MK Dons.

But the versatile Yorkshireman warned Jurgen Klopp's latest crop of young stars that they must "keep their foot on the accelerator" if they are to become first-team regulars at Anfield.

Academy product Jones made his second competitive appearance for the Reds' senior side in playing 90 minutes as part of a much-changed team that claim a 2-0 victory at Stadium MK.

An impressive individual showing in Buckinghamshire earned the young Scouser the man of the match award, which Milner believes represents deserved recognition of his recent development.

He said: "I’ve seen a massive difference in Curtis in the last year. He’s always had that ability but seems a bit more mature now; [he’s] defending well, getting his angles right when he’s defending.

"I think he’s realised as well that if you want to play for Liverpool, that’s as important as the stuff on the ball. Not only that, he’s got so much ability and skills and tricks, and it’s about using them in the right area.

"I think he’s learning that more and more now - you don’t want him doing it on the halfway line, you want him getting hold of it in the final third. That’s where you do your tricks and get people in the box.

"I said to him before the game, ‘I wouldn’t want to defend you in the box, so get them in there and drive at them’. He’s got great ability."

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Milner also enthused about the performances of the three other teenagers named in Klopp's side: Harvey Elliott, Rhian Brewster and Ki-Jana Hoever.

He continued: "Harvey hasn’t been with us that long, you see how good he is on the ball, very comfortable, but he impressed me with his closing down today and his reactions.

"Rhian is an out-and-out goalscorer, you know that he’ll score goals. [He’s got] that hunger and he’s learning from one of the best there is at the other side of the game, Bobby. He might not be able to do the Cruyffs that Bobby can do but he is ruthless in front of goal, he’ll get plenty of goals.

"Ki-Jana, another one, great talent, very comfortable on the ball and great for him to get a goal, fantastic, and hopefully that will give him that boost."

Still, Milner, who had scored his first Premier League goal before Elliott was even born, knows there is a long way to go for each of those players.

And the former England international is out to ensure they know the standards expected of them, though he acknowledges that luck will always play a part to some degree.

Asked if he relishes the responsibility of guiding young talents, he replied: "That’s what we’re there to do, that’s the role. Hopefully, the more they’re with us and they train with us, they’ll feel more confident as well.

"It’s a fine line between knowing what’s expected and the standards and also giving them that confidence as well. Every player’s different so it’s about getting it right, but I think you can see [with] the boys there’s so much talent there and their attitude as well.

"It’s tough to keep going. You see glimpses but there are so many distractions, you need that bit of luck with injuries and things like that. They have to keep their foot on the accelerator and keep pushing as hard as they can."

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