Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the “arrogance and confidence” shown by Curtis Jones played a crucial role in the youngster’s rise to the Liverpool first team.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 32, spent six years at Anfield between 2017 and 2023, in which time he watched Jones go from a talented prodigy to a key player under Jurgen Klopp.
Since making his first-team debut in an FA Cup third-round tie at Wolves in January 2019, Jones has made almost 200 appearances for the Reds and won both the Champions League and Premier League.
And Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the 24-year-old has forged a successful career at Anfield because he had the perfect blend of “respect, confidence and arrogance” when he started training with the senior side.
“There is an element of luck and timing, when you get your opportunity, taking it at the right time, and performing on the right day,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told Fozcast.
“The underlying factor of it all though is consistency and professionalism, how you work every day, what kind of character you are.
“That gets you more opportunities to be able to perform at the right time. A big thing for young players when they break into the first team, which is quite daunting, is that your character gets tested early.
“Having that respect for your older teammates to listen to, but also having that arrogance and confidence, is crucial.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 29, 2020: Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaced by substitute Curtis Jones during the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“The last example I can remember that did it well was Curtis Jones. When he first came into the Liverpool team, we all knew what Curt was like with the young boys – he was confident, the leader of the group.
“When he came into the first team, we had players like Jordan Henderson and James Milner, but he still had that about him.
“When we trained, he still had that confidence to try a stepover. When the older boys did some old-school treatment on him, he reacted well to it, listened, stopped and reflected.
“That goes a long way with older players, and people want to come in and help you, and look after you, and make you shine.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones (L) and Trent Alexander-Arnold with the trophy, as the team celebrate becoming Champions for the 20th time, after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I was the same – I had Adam Lallana, Jose Fonte, Rickie Lambert, all these senior pros that were really good players, but I really tried to integrate with them, learn from them, clean their boots if they wanted me to just so I could earn that respect.
“They take you under their wing, and they help you.
“It’s difficult to go from being a kid to playing men’s football – you must have that support around you from players and coaches, but you have to have that bit of confidence and arrogance.”
After playing a key role in Liverpool’s Premier League title success last season, Jones has earned six England caps in the last 12 months.