KEY POINTS

  • Liverpool have 15 points from 6 group games in UCL
  • Salah and Nunez scored against Napoli on Tuesday
  • Liverpool next take on Spurs on Sunday in the Premier League

Jurgen Klopp on Tuesday heaped praise on midfielder Curtis Jones, who played in the front line in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Napoli in the Champions League.

Jones started the game at Anfield in the front line along with Mohammed Salah and Roberto Firmino. In the 73rd minute, Darwin Nunez replaced Jones and made an immediate impact as the Reds scored their first goal in the 85th minute, courtesy of a fine Salah finish.

In the injury-time, after Virgil van Dijk's powerful header from a Kostas Tsimikas' out-swinging corner is saved, Nunez tapped the ball beyond the Napoli goalkeeper. The goal is first ruled out for off-side, before a VAR check made it 2-0 for Liverpool in the 98th minute.

In a post-match conference, when reporters asked Klopp about Nunez's impact after coming off the bench, the German boss first mentioned it was Jones' performance that allowed the Uruguayan forward to come later and deliver.

"Yeah, absolutely good [Nunez's game]. In these games, for us it was obviously not a game for massive rotation or whatever because of the situation. But a little bit we had to and that's why we didn't start all three [strikers] because we have to see how you get through a game. And I thought Curtis [Jones] did really well on an unfamiliar position for him. Did really well, was involved in the game," Klopp said in the press conference.

"And then when you can then bring on a fresh player with the quality of Darwin it's very helpful, so really happy about that," added Klopp.

Such comments from the boss would only motivate the young Jones, who earlier missed seven games between September and October due to an injury.

Goalscorer Curtis Jones (2nd L) celebrates with teammates after he fired Liverpool to a 1-0 win in their FA Cup third round match against Everton
Liverpool defeated Napoli 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday AFP / Paul ELLIS

Meanwhile, midfielder James Milner, who started the game with the captain's armband, suffered a blow to his head, which drew blood. Even though he carried on after receiving an on-field treatment, he signaled to come off just one minute into the second half. Milner was replaced by young Harvey Elliot.

About Milner's situation, Klopp said while the English veteran seemed fine, they will have to do further checks.

Liverpool and Napoli both have 15 points from six games but the Serie A club finished at the top of Group A because of a superior goal difference.

The Reds are next in action on Sunday (Nov. 6) when they travel to London to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

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