Liverpool’s deal for Diogo Jota is being heralded as a ‘great signing’ in Portugal, according to Pep Lijnders.
The Premier League champions wrapped up a surprise deal to sign the Portugal international last weekend.
Prior to joining Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers, there wasn’t a whole lot of speculation about his prospective switch to Anfield, which is quite rare in this day and age.
The 23-year-old can play anywhere across the front-three, and Lijnders, reportedly a long-term fan, has said that he can simulate the intensity that Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino operate at, describing him as a ‘monster’ in regards to Jurgen Klopp’s pressing style.
He said Goal.com: “In Portugal, they all say what a great signing Liverpool made, because they know exactly how he is and what kind of potential he still has. Like I said, he’s a pressing monster, he will fit into our style, but at the same time his technical level is the same as our front three.”
Lijnders, Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool, was the one who spoke to the press on Wednesday ahead of tonight’s League Cup clash with Lincoln City.
And it’ll be fascinating to see whether the German manager gives Jota his debut.
The former Wolves star scored 16 goals in all competitions last season, setting up six, and Lijnders is right – he should slot into Klopp’s style very easily.
Whether he’ll be as effective as a Salah, Mane or Firmino remains to be seen, though.
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