Jurgen Klopp reveals new Liverpool injury was reason for playing 'super smart' Curtis Jones at right-back

Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Curtis Jones' performance in a makeshift defensive role during Liverpool's 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Leicester City.

And the Reds boss admitted he was forced to deploy the 22-year-old in the unfamiliar position due to injuries to Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold

In the absence of Alexander-Arnold and Gomez, Jones, who was named as captain on a memorable at Anfield, started at right-back alongside Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Klopp revealed that he had informed the midfielder of his decision to make him captain and play at right-back simultaneously to soften the blow - but admitted he is unlikely to persist with Jones in that position despite his excellent performance.

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"Yesterday [Tuesday]," replied Klopp when asked at one point he had informed Jones that he would be captaining his boyhood club for just the second time. "When I told him he would play right-back, same moment. I sold the right-back idea with the captaincy. But he was already completely excited when I told him he would be right-back.

"The way he executed it was super special I have to say wow. Super smart. We thought about him because we can’t play Stefan [Bajcetic] long, we have to be careful with him. Joey [Gomez], will be okay for the weekend but was not okay for today.

"For Trent, it was too early, so we need to find solutions. Curtis was always in my mind as a potential solution because he is football-smart. He enjoys being on the ball and the deeper you are,