Jota out for months injured… Comes back and trains… then misses tonight’s game due to illness…The most Liverpool 2021 thing ever.
He was lacking sharpness last night, which is totally understandable. Think he was the liveliest of the front three. So happy to have him back.
He’s like a better version of Mertens, but better off the ball, too. Will need more time to “study him”. He’s one of those who doesn’t do much spectacular stuff, but does the simple things really well. And some would say that playing simply is the hardest.
Can’t quite put my thoughts on Jota into words - he’s probably not someone who can lead the line in Premier League, in my opinion, but his deployment against Leipzig made sense with Fabinho shielding the defence and Alcantara having more creative freedom and I would like to see more of him, Mane and Salah in the same XI. I wonder how it would have been had Keita played instead of Wijnaldum, he’s one of rare Liverpool players who can really make the most out of every inch of space afforded to him and also create some space for himself. Jota seems to thrive playing with such players because he’s one player who loves “hunting” space and making himself available for passes. I thought his assist for Salah was beautiful, by the way, really loved his composure and awareness there.
We haven’t anyone who can, Jota for me is a creator like Keita but further forward who profits from that creation by continueing into the box offering an option and scoring from it.
It’s horses for courses approach from Klopp, I liked some games where Mane played as centre forward or where Salah played a bit closer to the centre. However, I agree with you, I don’t think we have a player who can both occupy the centre backs, unsettle their back line and spring in behind. I admit it, I’ve spent too much time watching Haaland in hope that Liverpool will lure someone like him…
In Henderson’s absence, it would be great to have Fabinho, Alcantara and Keita behind Jota, Mane and Salah and change the approach a bit. I’m scared of injuries, though, and of Klopp’s unwavering belief in players even when they are completely off form and/or fatigued (like Firmino and Robertson).
Even without the goal he was by far our best attacker yesterday.
Not saying he had a very good game but he was so lively and direkt.
I think the extra weeks Klopp invested in his fitness is paying dividends. He looks sharp. Now hopefully the international games will not be too testing for him.
I didn’t think he had a particularly good game last night but that was some finish - even if I don’t think he meant that. I mean, hitting it with the outside of his weaker foot towards the near post… I don’t think even the great Ronaldo was confident enough to do that. I’d love to see him play in front of a midfield that has Fabinho, a fully fit Keita and fully settled Alcantara, though, Wijnaldum has run out of fuel, unfortunately. He dropped deep on a few occasions, took up some smart positions, then quickly darted up front. I don’t think Firmino is as quick to get back, I certainly preferred Jota’s movement.
The key is he hits it first time and hard and low… Even if you miss it’s got a chance.
That’s why he has to start ahead of Bobby, we need to get away from trying to constantly score the perfect goal. Jota wants to score, whereas Bobby in that possition typically tries to pass.
Suarez was king of just smashing the ball at the net very very early and he got so many goals from deflections or the keeper not being ready.
Yeah his two chances were the best two to be fair, bar Mane’s when he should just be hitting it.
Suarez also just played 1-2’s with defenders shins - how he dribbled past most people. Something special he was!
Diogo Jota is our third highest goal scorer and one of only three to reach double figures.
He was something else, Jota is heading the right way.
My main hope is that when Firmino is back and fit, he stays on the bench and Jota starts.
Jota would be top scorer in the premier league if he hadn’t missed so many games
There are two things that Jürgen has done this season that have absolutely pissed me off:
- Starting Jota in that dead rubber.
- Not starting Jota when he had scored in every Anfield game.
Now he is off to play Luxemburg and Azerbaijan
He isn’t their starter is he?
Though he may start in one of these.