Klopp reveals new Liverpool injury was reason for playing 'super smart' Curtis Jones at right-back

Klopp was full of praise for Curtis Jones' performance in a makeshift defensive role

the Reds boss admitted he was forced to deploy the 22-year-old in the unfamiliar position due to injuries to Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Jones was handed his 14th outing in Liverpool's last 18 games as he was named as the Reds' hybrid right-back

Jones helped Liverpool find their groove in the second half as they responded emphatically through strikes from Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota.

Jones has made significant progress at Anfield since his reintroduction to the starting XI back in April

Jones was named as skipper for the night in the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool's captain and vice-captain respectively.

Klopp on when he had informed Jones that he would be captain

"Yesterday [Tuesday],"

"When I told him he would play right-back, same moment. I sold the right-back idea with the captaincy, let me say it like that. But he was already completely excited when I told him he would be right back

"The way he executed it was super special I have to say wow. Super smart. We thought about him because we couldn't play Stefan [Bajcetic] long, we have to be careful with him. Joey [Gomez], will be okay for the weekend but was not okay for today.

"For Trent, it's too early so we need to find solutions. Curtis was always in my mind as a potential solution because he is football-smart. He enjoys being on the ball and the deeper you are, the more often you can get the ball."

Klopp added:

"It was a top performance, I have to say, for the first time for him in a strange position, he did really. I liked it a lot.

"He is in a good moment so he could probably play any position at the moment. We will try to use him as often as possible in his natural position."