Curtis Jones explains exactly what Klopp said during private on-pitch moment
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has shed light on what manager Jurgen Klopp said to him during their animated chat at full-time after a 5-1 battering of West Ham.
The Reds booked their place in the last four of the Carabao Cup after brushing aside the Hammers in emphatic fashion, but clearly not everything was perfect in the eyes of Klopp. The Liverpool boss was spotted in discussion with Jones and the midfielder has since made clear on what was said between the pair of them.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Jones explained: "He said about in the first-half, there was a time when I think Darwin [Nunez] had the ball and I could have made a run it was a throw in but it was at the end of the game so I was saying that I wanted to manage the game.
"I wouldn't have wanted to receive the ball and then give it away, get tackled and they score at the end of the half. It is what is, there's no problem."
Jones enjoyed one of his standout performances in a Liverpool shirt, netting two of Liverpool's five goals, including a stellar solo effort for his second and the Reds' fifth. Klopp singled Jones out for praise during his own post-match media duties.
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He went on to praise the performance of the collective, adding: "It was really good game, a game to enjoy, plenty of top performances. We were tough to play tonight, we were sharp and spot on from the first second and played really good football.
"In the first half they didn't have a shot on goal or a set piece, which was really important. I am really happy for the boys. It’s important to use the squad, that’s what we want to do.
"The boys showed everyone on the pitch that they wanted to play the game and win the game and qualify for the semi-finals. A top performance from start to finish."
Liverpool have been drawn against fellow Premier League outfit Fulham at the semi-final stage of the competition. With Chelsea tacking on Championship side Middlesbrough in the other tie, the odds are firmly pointing in the direction of a repeat of the 2022 final.