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CURTIS JONES received a message from Jurgen Klopp that underscored his enduring influence on those he left behind at Liverpool.
Following his 100th Premier League match celebrated in Thursday’s 3-1 comeback win against Leicester, the midfielder came across the Liverpool legend’s note.
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Jones, who marked the milestone with a goal that put the team in front, expressed his astonishment at receiving the message, saying: “Usually, I would contact my family first.
“Then I saw a text from Jurgen Klopp that read, ‘Congratulations on 100 games and here’s to 500 more.’
“I wondered, ‘What’s he talking about?’ — and then it hit me, filling me with great pride.
“He created the team we see today — the groundwork was established, and Arne Slot has built upon that legacy.”
The Dutch coach is making a name for himself in English football and the Champions League during his debut season.
And Jones, 23, has become a key player in Slot’s system that has been excelling both domestically and internationally.
His performance numbers support this; he declared shortly after Slot’s arrival that he had “never felt happier” as a player.
The former Feyenoord manager often pays tribute to his predecessor for the talent he has inherited.
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In fact, he valued his squad so highly that his only outfield signing upon his arrival was Federico Chiesa, 27, from Juventus for £10 million.
However, he has accomplished much more than just “continuing” with a squad that looked weary by the end of Klopp’s long reign and managed to secure only the League Cup.
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He is currently elevating them to new heights, as they sit at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand and lead the Champions League group.
Initially, that text left Jones in disbelief.
Yet, he is one of the players Slot has revitalized by implementing his interpretation of the dynamic Total Football philosophy pioneered by Dutch coaching icon Rinus Michels in the 1970s.
This season, Jones broke into the England national team after being advised to prioritize ball possession — and he is not the only one thriving under Slot’s innovative approach to Klopp’s high-press style.
Ryan Gravenberch, 22, signed from Bayern Munich for £34.2 million, was perceived as a dribbler whose unpredictable style was too erratic for Klopp.
Under Slot, he has transformed into one of Europe’s top holding midfielders.
Another Dutch international, Cody Gakpo, who joined from PSV Eindhoven for £37 million two years ago, experienced a mixed role in Klopp’s squad.
Last season, the left winger completed the campaign with 16 goals from 53 appearances.
His incredible equalizer against Leicester marked his tenth goal this season from just 26 matches, highlighting the newfound confidence the 25-year-old has under Slot.
Concerns arose last season regarding whether Virgil van Dijk had reached the pinnacle of being the best central defender in the world.
Now, he not only leads the Netherlands but also serves as Slot’s captain, stepping up after Jordan Henderson’s exit, and is once again performing at an elite level.
The match against Leicester was his 50th consecutive Premier League appearance, with the 33-year-old improving with age.
Andy Robertson too, who was on the decline, has thrived under the new management—even as Slot transitioned into his role, he faced challenges maintaining his attacking intensity.
Nonetheless, the Scotland captain, 30, has excelled under the new manager’s strategy and was close to scoring against Leicester with a header that hit the post.
Like many young football enthusiasts in his youth, Slot—who was born four years after Holland’s exhilarating 1974 World Cup campaign where they finished as runners-up—was steeped in Total Football philosophy.
This concept allows any outfield player to adopt any teammate’s role, irrespective of position.
To maintain fluidity, every player is expected to vary their roles throughout a match.
Johan Cruyff implemented it during his tenure at Barcelona; Pep Guardiola clinched the Champions League there twice as his student.
As a player, Slot revered both coaches before launching his coaching career at SC Cambuur in 2016, later moving to AZ.
While steering Feyenoord to the 2023 Dutch championship, he remarked: “Guardiola brings me the most joy in football.
“I’d prefer to watch Manchester City than any other team worldwide.”
Currently, Guardiola is striving to reclaim the metronomic passing approach that led City to their record fourth consecutive Premier League title last season.
Slot may have initially mirrored his inner-Guardiola but is now outsmarting his tactical mentor.
His tactics seem to boost both the goal tally and points accrued by his talented side.
At the start of November, Liverpool lagged behind Manchester City by a point—now they are 14 points clear, having contested one match fewer, with a game against West Ham on the horizon.
They are also in outstanding form, having scored two or more goals in an impressive 13 of their last 14 matches.
During Guardiola’s reign, City appeared invincible. Now, Slot, with only a single loss on his record, is instilling a similar formidable presence within Liverpool.
Everything he instructs resonates deeply with his thrilled squad.
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