Curtis Jones sends strong message over Liverpool future as 'standards' impact explained

Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones has urged the Liverpool squad to maintain the standards set by departing legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson as he reflected on a difficult season.

Salah and Robertson both made their final appearances after nine years at the club on Sunday by helping the Reds to the 1-1 home draw against Brentford that ensured Champions League qualification.

Arne Slot's side endured a troubled campaign in defence of their Premier League title and finished with just 60 points in fifth place - their lowest tally in 14 years.

And Jones believes the remaining players must maintain the legacy left by Salah and Robertson if they are to drag Liverpool back into the championship scrap next season

Jones

"When I came in, the standards were obviously already set and you had to obey the rules,"

"You had to buy into what the lads stood by.

“That was working hard every single day - and you see it more as a family thing. It started with the likes of the lads that are going to leave.

"You obviously go through your ups and your downs and when you look left and right, it is always those boys around in the hardest times, the lads are always there. You should never, ever quit. In the good times, they're there as well. It's important that we carry it on now.

"It's important that we got in the Champions League. Next year will be exciting again, the lads that we've obviously bought have now played enough games that they feel that they're a part of this as well. We'll see the best of them

“I'm excited, and next season it should be great. We can put everything behind us and just go and enjoy it and go and play free."

Detailing the impact behind the scenes of Salah and Robertson, Jones - who is about to enter the last 12 months of his contract and is a transfer target for Inter Milan -

Jones added: "Mo would always lead and be a professional. He was always the first in the gym, he was always the last out.

"There was obviously a time when I was struggling with injuries and stuff, and Mo let me use his personal physio and stuff on the outside. I respect him even more for that as well.

"Then Robbo, on the flip side, he obviously was one of the ones when I came around the team from a kid, he was always there, he always helped me. He always said that the talent was there and the ability was there, but I had to work harder, and he was hard on me.

"There were obviously times when I thought it was a little bit personal! But the older I got, the more mature and wiser that I got, I knew it was always with love and that he wanted to see me do well. The two of them have been a huge help in many ways."

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