Curtis Jones has passionately rejected claims of showing disrespect towards former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
Jones has continued to embrace the methods of new Reds head coach Arne Slot.
Jones spoke last week of enjoying working under Slot and that the more possession-based style suited his natural game.
That was construed in some quarters as criticism of Klopp, who gave the 23-year-old Academy graduate his debut back in January 2019
Jones has now rubbished suggestions he was criticising the German and explained the huge debt he owes the ex-Reds manager
Jones:
“I saw some things that I was being disrespectful in a way, but Jurgen knows I would never be that kid”
“He knows how much I love him and all of his staff.”
"It was just me saying that how I'm going to play now is going to be a little bit of a change.
“He has given me the platform and belief in myself to know I am a kid who can step up as well, I'm not just a squad lad, I can really be counted on. I don't want to take anything away from him.
"How many games have I played? It's all because of him.
“There were times when I was being told I need to go out on loan or might need leave the club, and he was the man who stuck with me the whole time.
"He knows how much love I've got for him and the whole of his staff, and I want to see Pep (Lijnders) do amazing over there (at Red Bull Salzburg)."
Of pre-season under Slot, Jones added: "It's intense. I can't even lie. I am enjoying it but it is hard.
“But we have to learn a whole new way of playing, a style of play on the ball - you can see we are keeping the ball a lot more with the triangles and stuff and our press.
"The principles are always the same - we want to work hard, want to press and dominate teams.
Jones has started all three pre-season friendlies under Slot in a deep-lying midfield role and was alongside Dominik Szoboszlai for the 2-1 win over Arsenal
It allowed Harvey Elliott to prosper in a more advanced role, with the 21-year-old assisting both goals for Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho.
Jones added:
"I'll run as much as I can for Harvey as long as he goes and scores goals and gets assists. I'm fine for that.
“It might be him who is taking the limelight but Harvey will know how much needs me.
“Then there might be a game where it's my turn as the number 10 and Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) alongside Dom and it's me who gets the goals and assists and the limelight is on me. But it's about the trust we have in each other.
"If Harvey and Mo can go and play free and know that me and Dom are going to run for them and we're going to get back...
“I was telling Harvey that it's on us to get you the ball, so you stay high and if we're not getting you the ball, let us know”
"I've got the mind that I'm around a team that is world class and is always going to challenge for stuff, so I know how hard it's going to be.
“But I know how hard I work and how good I am, so now it's just on me. I know I have to improve even more if I want to keep my shirt."
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