Cody Gakpo lauded his Liverpool teammate Curtis Jones after the 22-year-old played a key role in his side’s Carabao Cup demolition of West Ham on Wednesday.

Liverpool qualified for the semi-finals against Fulham after defeating David Moyes’ team 5-1 at Anfield, with Jones scoring twice.

Jones has been pressed for starts at Liverpool this season, with the midfielder getting three League Cup starts but only five Premier League appearances under Jurgen Klopp.

After shining in the semi-final, the Englishman has handed Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a selection headache moving into the year’s final fixtures.

Gakpo celebrated with Jones in the tunnel and commended the hard work he has been putting in behind the scenes at the club’s training facilities. 

‘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.

Jones, who was praised by his Reds teammates on the pitch at full time, will be hoping for more consistent opportunities following his League Cup efforts.

Klopp pulled the midfielder aside for a private conversation while putting his arm around Jones, 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.