PreviewCurtis Jones interview: Fatherhood, Liverpool v Chelsea and an 'exciting' run ahead

The Scouser and his partner welcomed their first child last Sunday – Giselle Delilah Jones.

In addition to getting to grips with fatherhood, Jones has been with the Reds squad at the AXA Training Centre as part of their preparations for the Premier League clash with Enzo Maresca's Blues.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: "It's amazing, man. It's the best feeling that I've ever had. The baby's well, my girlfriend's well. I'm really happy.

"When I'd ask around about, 'What's the feeling like when you've got a kid?' they'd turn around and tell you, 'I can't really explain it but it's the best feeling ever.' Now it's my turn.

"When I'm asked about it, I can't really explain. It's just the best thing ever, man.

"The baby's here, she's doing well. And now I'm back, I'm back in, back training and the focus is game after game.

"It's an intense month, there's a lot of games and we're starting off with Chelsea first. It's an important game and we'd like to start off well, so I'm excited as well for that."

Jones made his first league start of the season in the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace just prior to the international break.

The No.17 remains primed and ready for any opportunity given to him by head coach Arne Slot.

He said: "I understand I've been around for a while now. It's never always been easy, I've been up and down, I've had my injuries and stuff.

"But the mindframe that I've got now, if I'm starting, I'm starting. And if I'm not, I'm not.

"But I'm ready if I'm needed to come off the bench for half an hour and, most importantly, I'm ready to go and start, make an impact and help the team out as much as I can."

The encounter with Chelsea will see Jones come up against some friends and familiar faces.

The midfielder was part of the England squad that won the U21 European Championship in the summer of 2023 alongside current Blues trio Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke.

"As soon as we're on that pitch, you can put that aside," Jones said. "And afterwards if you want to speak, we can speak.

"I know them, we've spent a lot of time [together], we understand their strengths and weaknesses. That's what we'll be having a look at."

The 4.30pm BST kick-off is the start of another intense period for Jones and his Liverpool teammates.

A run of seven games in a 20-day spell will see Slot's Reds contest fixtures in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.

"It's exciting but the challenge as well is always good," Jones added. "We've got off to near enough a perfect start.

"I just feel if you look at the schedule and stuff, there's going to be fans and speculation around the whole thing of, 'This is going to be a challenge or this game is going to be hard.' But we're excited.

"We've got a big team, got a strong team and we're healthy. We're attacking it with a strong team."