Liverpool coach Barry Lewtas has heaped praise on young midfielder Curtis Jones as the teenager continues to impress at youth and first-team level.
Jones is set to captain Liverpool's under-19s in their UEFA Youth League clash against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday afternoon, a week on from impressing in the first-team's Carabao Cup victory over Milton Keynes Dons.
The Reds won 2-0 in Buckinghamshire last Wednesday , with goalscorer James Milner heaping praise on Jones, who was also awarded man of the match on Sky Sports.
"I’ve seen a massive difference in Curtis in the last year," said Milner last week.
"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."
Lewtas agrees, and detailed how Jones has been spending his time across Liverpool's teams.
“Inside the Academy we have to realise that sometimes young lads do makes mistakes and have to learn from them,” he said, via the Liverpool Echo .
“In this environment you have to learn quickly.
“Curtis was captain in Naples and I was impressed by how mature and responsible he was, not just on the pitch but around the place. He was a leader when we were there.
“If the senior professionals, like Milner, have noticed a change, then that's really good. That's part of growing up.
“His form for Critch [under-23s boss Neil Critchley] has been a positive. The standard of players, especially the attacking ones at Melwood, surely has to serve as motivation, not just for Curtis but for all the youngsters.
“We are in a fortunate position where the group is so close-knit. Curtis plays for the first team, gets man of the match, then a few days later scores twice for the U23s.
“He'll be desperate to play on Wednesday. Fantastic week for him, it's only good for his development.”
