Preston archived, now for the Liverpool the US tour will be more lively. In fact, tonight (1.30 am Italian time) the Reds will face the Real Betis in the first public summer friendly since Arne Slot took over the English club. The Dutch coach is grinding out weeks of intense training to get the team up and pass on his playing philosophy, based on possession play and intense pressing. And if there’s anyone who’s really enthusiastic about the new coach, it’s Curtis Jones.
New life. In today’s press conference, the 23-year-old midfielder from Liverpool spoke about what it’s like to work under Slot: “It’s fantastic,” he began. “It’s probably the happiest I’ve ever had in terms of the style of play, which suits me. In training there’s a clear plan and he’s fully involved, he coaches us often. He’s very attentive to detail. He has a certain way of playing… he knows it will take time because it’s a big change, but he and his staff are calm because they know the quality is there.”
Experienced transition. On making the transition from the last step of the Academy (U23) in 2020, up to the first team with Klopp in charge: “It’s always been a difficult period, as a young player I came into the team and I always had a certain way of playing, but I had to adapt and change. But this was part of the plan and it was something I could do. But I feel like this is more suitable for me, that I can play more with the ball. I’m excited,” he concluded.