Following Curtis Jones’s impressive performance in his team’s Carabao Cup thumping of West Ham on Wednesday, Cody Gakpo lavished praise on his Liverpool teammate. Jones, 22, is 22 years old.

After putting five past David Moyes’ team, Liverpool set themselves up with a semi-final matchup against Fulham, with Jones scoring twice at Anfield.

This season, Jones has faced intense competition for starting spots at the Reds. Although the midfielder started three games in the League Cup, he only made five appearances in Jurgen Klopp’s starting lineup in the Premier League.

After shining in the semi-final match, the Englishman has presented the Liverpool manager with a selection conundrum going into the year’s final games.

Speaking from the tunnel, Gakpo congratulated Jones on his accomplishment and highlighted the effort he has been putting in behind the scenes at the team’s training facility. 

‘Santa’s come early,’ Gakpo told Sky Sports while standing alongside Jones.

‘Quick word, very proud of you, you are working very hard, nobody see’s it as it’s behind closed doors but you deserve all the best and keep going brother,’ he added.

After his League Cup performances, Jones will be looking for more regular opportunities. His Reds teammates praised him on the field at full time.

With his arm around Jones, Klopp pulled the midfield player aside for a private conversation, and the Liverpool academy product revealed what was being said.

‘In the first half there was a time when Darwin [Nunez] had the ball and I could have a run. It was a throw-in but was at the end of the game.

‘I was saying that I wanted to manage the game and didn’t want to receive the ball and give it away and they score at the end.

‘It is what it is, no problem,’ Jones added as he was given his individual MOTM accolade.