Curtis Jones claims his 'frame of mind' has changed and that he's 'matured'

Curtis Jones says he is maturing into a leader-like figure in the Liverpool dressing room and has taken a lot of useful experiences from starring in England’s Under 21s glory in the European Championships this summer.

The 22-year-old Scouser recently passed 100 appearances for the Reds and will return to the squad in tonight’s Europa League encounter with Toulouse after serving a three-match ban for a controversial red card in the much-discussed defeat at Tottenham last month.

Jones has been a regular in Liverpool’s XI this season despite Jurgen Klopp’s side spending north of £150million on fellow midfielders in the summer, and believes he is back to his best after a couple of campaigns plagued by multiple injuries.

‘I had a time where I was out for, I think it was 15 weeks or something, and it was (all about) the hunger I had in me to come back and play,’ said Jones. ‘I just worked hard. My frame of mind changed, and I matured as well.

‘I came back and I was fortunate enough to help with goals and assists, but the most important thing that I had at the end of the season was that I was playing game after game after game. (The U21 Euros) helped 100 per cent.

‘I think I had 12 games consecutively (for Liverpool before the Euros). I came in, I had a buzz about me, confidence. I went in there and I was myself and I was fortunate enough to make the team of the tournament and I scored the goal (in the final) apparently! I’m carrying on the form.’

Jones’ joke is referring to the tournament-winning goal which deflected in off him from a Cole Palmer free-kick. He says he feels like one of the seniors at Anfield now especially with the mass changes made in the summer.

‘It’s a tough one, if I’m honest, because I’ve always been the younger kid,’ added Jones, who recently captained the Reds against Leicester. ‘Now there’s kids coming in and I’m having a conversation with them. It’s about helping out the kids as well.

‘It’s good to have the armband on me and to be captain, but every time at the training ground I always try to be a leader in my own way.’

Cody Gakpo has been in full training for Liverpool since Sunday after a knee injury, while Caiomhin Kelleher should be fit again for the visit of the French side.

Andy Robertson had successful surgery on Wednesday and will now begin his recovery - but is unlikely to play again before Christmas.