Diogo Jota: Liverpool’s New Portuguese Starlet

For the last three years, Liverpool’s front three has been one of the best attacking trios in World Football. Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have been pivitol to Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp. In the past year they have won both the Champions League and the Premier League, all three were crucial to winning these trophies.

Even with how great they are, they’re still human. Very few players can play every single game in a League season (Liverpool’s own Virgil Van Dijk is one of them though with him having played all 76 of Liverpool’s Premier League games from the 2018/19 season to 2019/20.) Forward players in particular need their rest with how much energy they use in their roles as attackers. Firmino has played 37, 34 and 38 games in the last three Premier League seasons with Salah’s total being 36, 38 and 34 along with Mane’s tally of 29, 36 and 35. The availability of the durable front three is an underrated yet crucial aspect of them, If not for Mane’s injury in 2017/18 they would’ve presumably all played over 30 games in their three seasons together so far.

So, how do you manage to rest three of the best forwards in world football? As Liverpool, you need to practically win every single one of your games to achieve your goals of winning the likes of the Champions League and the Premier League. Liverpool have Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri, Takumi Minamino, Rhian Brewster and Harvey Elliott all apart of their squad as their forward options.

Origi had a rough season in 2019/20, unable to repeat many of the magical moments he was apart of in 2018/19 as he won Liverpool the Champions League with his goals against Barcelona and Tottenham that season. Those moments will keep his name apart of Liverpool’s history forever. Even then, he still scored those two goals against Arsenal in that dramatic Carabao Cup tie and he got his annual goals in the Merseyside Derby, scoring a brilliant brace in the 5–2 December win at Anfield against Everton.

Origi hasn’t looked good enough to keep the quality level of the attack up when replacing one of the three, he’s had his moments of brilliance but just hasn’t been able to get into a consistent run of good form in the past season. You could argue this is due to him having to play as a left winger rather than as a striker as he would presumably be more comfortable down the middle than out wide. Origi’s future at the club is still undecided for now, he could see himself leaving the club this Summer if not next. Whatever happens, Origi has created some of the most memorable moments for Liverpool under Klopp.

Xherdan Shaqiri had a bright start to his Liverpool career, early on in his first season at the club Klopp set Liverpool up in a 4–2–3–1 shape which Shaqiri slotted into and shined alongside the front three, scoring 6 goals and assisting 3 by December. A brace in a 3–1 win against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United at Anfield that December was most definitely Shaqiri’s greatest moment as a Liverpool player, coming on as a substitute with the game level at 1–1 Shaqiri drove Liverpool to an iconic win.

In the second half of the season, Shaqiri saw his minutes shrink as Klopp reverted back to the 4–3–3 formation which booted Shaqiri out of the starting line up in favour of more defensively solid midfielders. Shaqiri was plagued by injuries in 2019/20, only making 7 appearances and 2 starts which were still enough for a Premier League medal. He still scored in that Merseyside Derby win that was mentioned above but that was his only goal in 19/20. The Swiss international’s Liverpool future is unknown for now, he’s still being bothered by injury problems as the clubs who were interested in acquiring his services back in January don’t seem to be that interested anymore. If he were to stay, he could still bring something to Klopp’s side if he can get past his injury woes.

Takumi Minamino, Liverpool’s Winter signing from Red Bull Salzburg for £7.25 Million back in January looks to be fully settled into Jurgen Klopp’s squad. Even though Minamino didn’t grab a goal or assist in any of his games during the 19/20 season, he shone in certain matches and showed the potential quality he has. He had shown it even more during the short pre-season Liverpool had, he was by far Liverpool’s best player in pre-season as a highlight moment was him scoring in the Community Shield against Arsenal.

Minamino could play a big role for Liverpool this season, if Klopp switches to the 4–2–3–1 formation that Minamino shone in during pre-season, you could see him reach his full potential. He’s a versatile player, he could play as wide player, as a number 10 or even in Firmino’s False 9 role. Minamino is 25 years old, he still has plenty of years ahead of him with Klopp and Liverpool hoping he grows into an important player for the side in the years to come.

Rhian Brewster had as perfect a loan as a young player could want to have. The young English striker was brilliant on loan for Swansea City in the second half of last season, scoring 10 goals in 20 Championship appearances. Brewster scored three goals in those games against Vfb Stuttgart and Salzburg in Austria, impressing fans as he made them excited for what could come from him in the upcoming season.

A rough moment for Brewster was his penalty miss in the Community Shield shoot-out vs Arsenal, the only penalty miss in the shoot-out which won Arsenal the Shield 5–4 on penalties. In the past few weeks, there has been talks that Liverpool may let him go in a permeant deal, with a buy back clause installed if Liverpool want to bring him back in the next few years. Crystal Palace and Sheffield United have been rumoured as destinations for him, a fee of £25 Million is what Liverpool want for their clinical young forward.

It was clear that Liverpool needed another forward, one of quality and one that could add something different and fresh to what is already a great attack. Only a day after announcing the blockbuster signing of Thiago, Liverpool were back to announcing transfers as they confirmed the signing of Diogo Jota from Wolves, a fee of £41 Million that could rise to £45 Million had been agreed for the 23 year old Portuguese international. Ki-Jana Hoever, the talented young Dutch right-back, was going the other way to Molineux to join Nuno Espirto Santo’s side for £13.5 Million.

Losing Ki-Jana is disappointing, losing a young full-back who can also play centre-back only two years after bringing him to the club is not ideal, especially one that was so highly rated by Klopp and the club. With the emergence of Neco Williams last season and now Billy Koumetio recently, it is understandable as to why Hoever pushed for a move. He wants first team football, he felt his pathway to the Liverpool first team was now blocked and wanted to go elsewhere.

Wolves is a good place for Hoever to continue his young career, their style of play should suit him very well and he’s sure to get the game time at senior level that he is desperately craving. Liverpool have gotten a solid fee for a player who didn’t play a single game for them in the Premier League, Sporting Director Michael Edwards showing again how great he is at offloading players.

With Jota, Liverpool potentially have themselves the perfect 4th choice forward, one that will breathe new life into an already perfect partnership between the current trio. Jota was a signing that came out of nowhere, nothing seemed to be reported about him moving to Merseyside till the day before the move became official.

Diogo Jose Texeria de Silva was born in Massarelos Porto. He joined the youth set up of F.C. Pacos de Ferreira in 2013 after spending 8 years at Gondomar. Within a year of his arrival, Jota was promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 2014/15 season. He made his senior debut on the 19th of October 2014 in a 4–0 win against Atletico SC in the Taca de Portugal. Jota made his first Primeria Liga appearance on the 20th of February 2015, he came on as a late substitute in a 2–2 draw with Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Jota’s first two goals in the Primeria Liga came against Academica de Coimbra in a 3–2 win on the 17th of May, this made him the youngest goal scorer for the club at 18 years of age. Jota ended his first season at senior level with 2 goals and 2 assists in just 10 appearances.

On the 30th of May 2015, Jota signed a 5 year deal with Pacos, a contract that would keep him at the club until 2020. Jota’s first game of the 2015/16 season didn’t go too well, he was sent off against Academica on the 17th of August for pushing a player, Pacos won the game 1–0. Only less than a year after signing that long term contract with Pacos, on the 14th of March 2016, Jota signed a 5 year contract with La Liga side Atletico Madrid with him set to join on the 1st of July.

In his second and final season at senior level for Pacos de Ferreira, Jota made 31 appearances with him scoring 12 goals as they finished 7th in the table. Jota made 41 appearances in 2 years at Pacos, scoring 14 goals and assisting 2. Not long after Jota arrived in Madrid, he saw himself back in the Primeria Liga, this time at FC Porto as on the the 26th of August he was loaned to the Portuguese giants.

In the 2016/17 season, Jota made 27 appearances for Porto in the League with 15 of them being off of the bench, he scored 8 goals and assisted 5 of them. In the Champions League, Jota played 8 times with 4 substitute appearances, he scored 1 goal which came against the Premier League Champions Leicester City in the group stages. Between the Primeria Liga and Champions League, Jota made 35 appearances as he scored 9 goals with 5 assists for Porto during his year long loan spell.

Jota’s next chapter in his young career was an interesting one. After playing in the Champions League and challenging for the Portuguese Title with Porto, Jota found himself in the second tier of English football, the Championship was where he would play in 2017/18 as he was sent to Wolves on loan by Atlético for the season. Joining him would be Porto’s defensive midfielder Ruben Neves who arrived for a fee worth over £15 Million, a fee which was a Championship record for a signing. Nuno Espirito Santo who was Jota’s coach at Porto joined as manager of Wolves that Summer, setting up a strong Portuguese core for the West Midlands club.

Wolves completely dominated the Championship that year, they were far and above better than all the rest when it came to the quality of their football. Jota made 44 appearances that season with all of them bar one being a start. He played 3,612 minutes as he netted 17 goals and notched 5 assists, by far his best season individually as he ended up with 22 goals and assists combined. Wolves ended the season with 99 points, 9 more than 2nd placed Cardiff City as Espirito Santo’s side won 30 of their 46 games with 82 goals scored on their way to winning the Title and gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Back in the January Transfer Window of that season, Wolves agreed a £14 Million fee with Atlético Madrid to make Jota’s stay at Molineux a permanent one. Jota would be going up to the top flight with them, Wolves in the 2018/19 season were set to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2011/12. Wolves’ first game of their return to the Premier League was a 2–2 draw at home with Everton where Jota played the full 90 minutes.

Jota’s first Premier League goal was a huge one, he scored in Wolves’ comeback win at home to Chelsea where the newly promoted side snatched a 2–1 victory against Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea. Jota scored an incredible hat-trick in a thrilling 4–3 win at Molineux against Leicester City on the 19th of January 2019. It was the second hat-trick of Jota’s career, he became only the second Portuguese player to score a Premier League hat-trick, only Cristiano Ronaldo had done it before him.

Wolves had an incredible season, in particular their run to Wembley where they played in the FA Cup Semi-Final. Arguably Jota’s finest moment in a Wolves shirt, in the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup, the strong and quick Portuguese forward ripped past Manchester United’s defence, sending Luke Shaw to the ground as he ran straight towards the United goal and fired the ball past Sergio Romero. The Molineux crowd were sent into hysterics, Wolves were truly living the ultimate footballing dream. Wolves won 2–1 on that night as they booked their place in the last four of the competition.

Wolves would fall short of a trip to the Final vs Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, losing to Watford 3–2 after leading in the game. It was a massive missed opportunity for Wolves, you could argue that they would’ve given City a tougher challenge in that Final with Watford getting handed a 6–0 thumping in the end. Wolves still had a great Premier League season, they finished 7th in the table which was their highest ever finish in the Premier League (their highest in the top tier of English Football since 1979–80 where they finished 6th) as it secured them a spot in the Europa League qualifying rounds. Jota ended the season with 9 goals and 5 assists, not too bad for a first season in the Premier League with many more set to come.

The first game for Wolves in the 2019/20 season was in July, a Europa League second qualifying round tie against Northern Irish side Crusaders. In the 1st leg at Molineux, Jota scored in a 2–0 win as he got an assist in the 4–1 2nd leg victory that saw Wolves progress with an aggregate scoreline of 5–1. In the 1st leg of the third qualifying round, an away fixture against Armenian side Pyunik, Jota got a hat-trick of assists as Wolves came out 4–0 victors. Jota came on as a substitute and scored in the 4–0 home win in the 2nd leg, Wolves won 8–0 on aggregate and saw themselves going into the Play-Off round against Torino.

The Serie A side definitely gave Wolves a tougher test than the previous two teams, Jota scored before he was subbed off around 70 minutes in with Wolves coming out 3–2 winners in the 1st leg in Italy. Wolves went on to win the home 2nd leg 2–1, going through to the Europa League group stages in what was a huge feat for a team who were in the Championship only two years previous. Jota had 3 goals and 4 assists in those three Europa League qualifying ties.

In the final Europa League group stage game, Jota came on as a substitute against Besiktas and scored a hat-trick within 12 minutes. Wolves won the game 4–0 and were on their way to the knockout stages of the competition. In the Round of 32 1st leg at home to Espanyol, Jota again netted a hat-trick with Wolves winning 4–0 for a second consecutive Europa League game. Wolves went through 6–3 on aggregate after a 3–2 2nd leg loss in Spain.

One of Jota’s finest performances in the Premier League in 19/20 came away to Tottenham, he scored and then went on to assist Raul Jimenez’s winner in a comeback 3–2 win in North London. Jota had a hot and cold Premier League season, he ended it with 7 goals and the 1 assist, two less goals than 18/19 with 4 less assists. Near the end of the campaign he was starting to be benched, his only goal in the post lockdown portion of the season came in a 3–0 win against Everton where he started the game from the substitutes bench. Jota didn’t start the Round of 16 2nd leg against Olympiacos and the Quarter-Final against Sevilla, Wolves lost that Quarter-Final 1–0 as their incredible European journey ended.

Jota was now seen as more of a bench player in that later section of the season, Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence seemed to be the more preferred options to start for Nuno. Jota had struggled for form in the second half of the season, it was looking like his days as a main starter at Wolves were over. Jota’s substitute appearance in the loss to Sevilla would be his last in a Wolves shirt, he was on the bench and did not come on in their 2–0 win against Sheffield United where the duo of Podence and Neto started ahead of him in a front three with Jimenez.

Jota was left out of the squad completely for Wolves’ Carabao Cup 2nd round defeat to Stoke. Only a day later, the news broke of Liverpool being interested in Jota. That night, it was reported that Liverpool had agreed the £45 Million fee to bring Jota to the club. Liverpool officially announced his arrival on their social media accounts. It was revelaed that Jota was taking the Number 20 shirt, one that was vacated after Adam Lallana’s departure to Brighton. Jota was pictured in the dressing room before taking a look just outside Anfield in the tunnel for more pictures. Liverpool fans were ecstatic, even with there being no long buildup to the move like Thiago’s, fans were still excited at the sight of Jota in Liverpool Red.

For Jota, the move ended three brilliant years at Wolves. From 2017/18 to 2019/20, Jota scored 41 goals with 13 assists in 125 appearances. He had some memorable moments as a Wolves player, scoring the winner against Chelsea at Molineux, his hat-trick against Leicester in that 4–3 win, his winner against United in the FA Cup Quarter-Final, the goal and assist in the 3–2 away win against Spurs, those hat-tricks against Besiktas in that final Europa League group stage game and the Round of 32 1st leg against Espanyol along with many more in the orange of Wolves.

Nuno spoke about Jota’s move to Liverpool, speaking highly of the player and wishing him well. “Diogo is amazing and everybody knows the relationship we built. What Diogo did for us is absolutely fantastic,” he said. “I think Diogo is going to the right place and we wish him all the best, knowing that it never be forgotten, especially by our fans, all the memorable moments that Diogo provided.”

Jurgen Klopp was most definitely pleased himself at securing the services of the Portuguese forward, with plenty to say on the move. He talked about why Diogo was someone he wanted to bring to the club. “Oh my god, plenty of reasons! He’s a player who gives us so many options to use him. He’s 23 years old, still far away from being kind of a finished article, so much potential. He has the speed, he can combine, can defend, can press. It makes it just more unpredictable and gives us real options for different systems because he can play pretty much all three positions up front in a 4–3–3, if we play with four midfielders he can play both wings.”

“So, these kinds of things. It’s just nice. And he has some natural things which we have in our game, like this desire and the greed and the direction. He is part of this unbelievable Portuguese generation in the moment, where they have really a lot of obviously quite skilled players. We saw the Portuguese team last time, it’s quite impressive. So, I’m really happy to have him here. And on top of that, a really good guy and really happy to be here.”

When asked about any conversations he had with Jota beforehand, Klopp mentioned meeting Jota and his girlfriend. “Yes, very good — I met him and his girlfriend. Very nice, both speak very good English. I knew it before, obviously we spoke before, and he is a really nice and smart person. He will fit really well in this squad.”

Klopp was asked about the admiration he has for Nuno and his style at Wolves, would this make the transition easier for Jota? “Yeah, I like what Wolves are doing. They obviously play a completely different system but what they do is ask pretty much all offensive players for proper defensive work — and the whole team there is doing that, and Diogo as well. Of course, that’s one of the things. Of course he has to adapt to a few things and has to learn a few things — what we do differently because there are, of course, differences — but a lot of things are already there. And so I’m really excited.”

Klopp was asked about the potential Jota has and how he could reach that at Liverpool, did this excite him and did he feel that Jota was relishing the chance to reach those heights? “He knows it’s a step for him, he knows that. Of course it is. We always talk about these kinds of things; who can improve our team, the team who won pretty much everything last year? A lot of things can improve us, just if you want to come and play 500 games in a row then it could be slightly difficult. He knows it’s a step for him and he can give us things we don’t have — that’s why it’s cool.”

“The space for improvement is not what I like most, but it’s there. He is now already ready to play for us but yes, I’m pretty sure there’s something to come. And the way we play, the way we train and the way we treat people, I think will help him as well. And, of course, being in a team like this is good because [there are] good players around you, make yourself better. That’s how it will be with him as well and what he will do with us.”

Finally, Klopp was asked about Jota taking Lallana’s number 20 shirt. “It’s a nice number 20. Confident as well, did I mention that? All good. I’m pretty sure Adam is completely fine with that. Both obviously really good footballers — different players, but really good footballers. Both run a lot, so at least the shirt is used to that! There will be a lot of sweat after the game!”

Klopp is clearly excited at the prospect of having Jota in the team, Klopp will be hoping Jota will one day be just as good as his two other wide forwards in Mane and Salah. Klopp mentioned seeing Jota in a game for Portugal, that game was Portugal’s 4–1 win against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. Jota scored his first goal for Portugal’s senior squad as he played the full 90 minutes.

Jota was interviewed by Liverpool’s media team. Jota was asked how he felt about moving to Liverpool. “Thank you. It’s just a really exciting moment for me and my family. All of my path since I was a kid and now, to join a club like Liverpool — the world champions — is just unbelievable. I just want to get started.”

Jota was asked how the days leading up to his Liverpool move felt. “I just wanted the deal to get done. Obviously people started to talk about that and I received a lot of messages. We were trying to get this done because obviously we want to sign the contract — that’s the big moment — and to start training with my teammates as well.”

Jota was asked what was it about a transfer to Liverpool that was so intriguing to him, how his family felt about him making the switch to Merseyside. “It is one of the best teams in the world — the best at the moment because they are world champions. When you look at the Premier League, you always see Liverpool as one of the biggest teams in the country, so it’s impossible to say no. So we just want to come [here], to give our best and hopefully I can become a good option for Liverpool in the future.”

Jota was asked why he thought a move to Liverpool was right for him at this stage of his career. “Well, I have played two years in the Premier League now with Wolverhampton [Wanderers] so now I just feel like it is a good moment to come here, to play Champions League again. It is massive for me but I think I am ready for this new chapter.”

Jota was asked if he felt he was ready to compete and fight for his place in the team. “Yeah, sure. Obviously I will need to know my teammates, but they will know me as a player that is a team player, so I will always try to help them the best I can. They can count on me in the future and I think we can do great things here.”

Jota was asked if he thought that moving to Liverpool was where he could take his game to the next level. “I think so, but the most important thing is trying to know the manager and his style of play. I think this is the right one. Jürgen, I think, is a fantastic coach. I looked at him when I was a kid and he was already playing in Champions League finals, so I’ve known him for a long time — not personally, but now I will. I think it is the right manager for me and at this stage of my career and I think it is a good — and the right — step.”

Jota was asked if he himself felt that there was more to come from him as a player, more room for improvement from him. “Yes, of course. We as players always want to grow and develop into a better status — and that’s what I want. I want to grow here and I believe this is the right club.”

Jota was asked about the matches between Liverpool and Wolves over the last two seasons, how competitive they were and if he learned anything going up against Jurgen Klopp’s side. “Just [that] they are a special team; the way they press, the intensity that they put into the game is just another level and that’s what I want to be part of — that anger to play the game and to score goals. I think that’s a great way to play the game and that’s the way I want to play as well.”

He was asked jokingly if he felt relieved about the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson Becker being his teammates now rather than opponents. “Yeah, we are talking about world-class players — the best in their positions — so it is good to be a part of their team now and we can face other opponents. In the end, all of the team is important and I want to be one more player to help.”

He was asked what was it like watching Liverpool win the League in the fashion they did from the perspective of an outsider looking in. “I think there was no doubt — no doubt about Liverpool being the best team in the league last season by some distance. I think, as I said before, the intensity they put into the game… they were just unbelievable. They were all over the place. It felt like they were playing with more players than the other teams. Hopefully we can do the same again this year with me being a part of it.”

He was asked what it was like coming to Anfield as player on the opposing team. “Well, again, I think by some distance it is the best stadium and the best environment. I think it is really noisy and the song You’ll Never Walk Alone is always on the opponent’s mind. Now I am part of it. Obviously this situation with COVID it won’t be for now, but I hope soon I can be here listening to the fans with a full Anfield.”

Jota was asked if the feeling of knowing that Anfield is now his new home had sunk in yet. “Well, it is now! Like I said, I just wish we could have the stadium full for my debut as that would be very special, but OK, it will still be special. And we can have them [the fans] later in the season to help us onto good things.”

Jota was asked how much was he looking forward to playing alongside Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, if he felt he could learn anything from them. “They are world-class players. Every match, they try to win. They score a lot of goals and they work together. I want to be one more piece to join that three. That’s what I will do. They are obviously more experienced than me, so the first stage is to connect with them, to learn with them. Hopefully I can be a good help for them and the club to win games.

Jota was asked if he thought that his versatility could help him get a place in the team. “I think every manager looks at that and we as players know that being versatile, playing in different positions, is always useful. I am ready to play in each position that the manager wants. That’s what I will try to do — give my best every single day.”

Jota was asked about Liverpool’s pressing style, how he himself is a player who likes to press, would this help him adjust quickly to Liverpool’s style? “Yes, I think that’s why I feel it is the right moment to come here with this manager because I think his style of play can adapt to mine as well. Hopefully I can be part of his plans in the future.”

Jota was told how he had scored his first goal for Portugal and now had signed for the Premier League Champions in the space of a few weeks, how it wasn’t too bad of a start to the season for him. “Wow… no! Everything is happening quickly, everything is going terrific and I am just enjoying it at the moment and I am ready to give my best.”

Jota was asked about his child that is due to be born soon. “Yes, yes. 2020 started, I wouldn’t say bad but with different circumstances — the COVID situation and all of this stuff. But now it is becoming the best year of my life.” He continued when asked about his child growing up as a Scouser “Yeah! I think it will happen! Being born here, he will be a Scouser!”

Jota was asked if there was any significance to him choosing the Number 20 as his Liverpool shirt number. “No, not really. Obviously coming here when the season is already under way is not always what we want, but I think it’s a good number and hopefully I can do good things with it.”

Jota was asked just how much is he looking forward to working under Jurgen Klopp. “A lot, a lot. I am anxious to get started, I am anxious to learn new things, because the sooner I start, the sooner I can give results to the team and that is the most important [thing].” He continued by saying this when asked if he spoke to Klopp since he had his transfer confirmed. “Yes, once or twice. I believe he is the right coach for me and I just want to see things happen now.”

Jota was asked about Conor Coady, the captain of Wolves who came through the youth ranks at Liverpool with Coady playing 1 Premier League and Europa League game each at senior level for the club. He was asked if he spoke to Coady about his Liverpool move. “No, not really, but I think I will today or tomorrow. I know for a fact this is his childhood club, so I know he will want to tell me some things and I will talk about that with him just after this announcement is done.”

Finally, Jota was asked if he had a message for the Liverpool supporters. “Like I said, I think I am a team player. I play up front and my job is to find a way to score goals and to provide assists and that’s what they can expect from me — that I will always do my best. I will always try to help the team in the best way possible. They can count on me because now I am one of them and I will give my best.”

A lovely interview from Jota who fans are sure to be fond of as a player and person. As mentioned, Jota has plenty of potential. He’s already shone during his time at Wolves but he could reach a whole new level at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.

Jota can play in all three positions in the front line as mentioned, his main role in the squad in my eyes could be as Sadio Mane’s deputy. I see Jota spending a lot of his playing time out on the left side of Liverpool’s attack, according to FBref Jota played 24 of his 50 games as a pure left-winger last season. With Divock Origi who is usually 2nd choice for that wide left position potentially leaving, Klopp could slot Jota into that part of Liverpool’s squad. He can also deputise for Salah on the right and could play as the number 9 in place of Firmino.

Jota has the pace and strength to play out wide and he’s an energetic presser who could see himself being tried out in the false 9 role. Jota’s versatility means that he’ll have plenty of places in the forward line to play, giving Klopp multiple options in how to use him.

With his 16 goals and 6 assists in two Premier League seasons for Wolves, he’s close to Mane’s two seasons at Southampton goal wise. Mane had 21 goals and 9 assists in 67 games. Jota also played 67 Premier League games for Wolves, Mane saw his goal tally sky rocket at Liverpool under Klopp, having scored 63 Premier League goals for the club in 4 seasons. Liverpool fans will be hoping to see Jota reach those heights as a Liverpool player one day, if he is set to be an important piece to squad. With him probably not being a starter for now though, it means patience from fans must be had with him to allow him to establish himself as a key part of the side.

Jota’s first Liverpool game could come in the Carabao Cup 3rd Round away to Lincoln City, the League One side trashed Bradford City 5–0 away from home in the 2nd Round to book a tie against Klopp’s men. Liverpool’s lineup will presumably be a mixture of youth team players and some of the fringe senior squad members, Liverpool are playing Arsenal Monday night only 4 days later. Going up against the third tier side will be a good game for Jota’s debut, a way to settle himself in without any huge pressure.

With the schedule for this season, it is set to be an intense one. For a fourth season together, it’ll be one with a heavy workload again for the trio of Firmino, Salah and Mane. Klopp and Liverpool will be hoping that Jota can ease some of that load for them, for him to create some magic moments of his own in what will hopefully be another great season for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.