Pundit Jamie Carragher has predicted that Liverpool ace Diogo Jota will be left on the bench by Jurgen Klopp for Wednesday’s big clash against Arsenal.
Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of the Premier League title after Manchester City only drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Liverpool can now close the gap to City to just one point with a win over Arsenal – but that is far from a foregone conclusion.
Arsenal have won five games in a row and sit in the top four with Mikel Arteta’s men in outstanding Premier League form.
The Emirates Stadium will be buzzing for Wednesday’s game with Arsenal seeking to make a major statement against a top rival.
Liverpool boss Klopp faces some big selection decisions ahead of the game, especially in his attacking front three.
Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have been starting of late, but Diogo Jota is available and Roberto Firmino is back from injury.
That’s a truly devastating set of attacking options for Liverpool to call upon, and Arsenal will be dreading facing any of them.
Jota has racked up 12 goals in 25 Premier League outings this season, as well as adding another five goals in other competitions.
The £41million signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 has been an outstanding goalscorer for Liverpool but now finds himself in a tricky position.
After picking up a knock against Inter Milan, Jota hasn’t started a Premier League game and may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Pundit and former Liverpool ace Carragher has now stated on Instagram that he thinks Jota will be benched again by Klopp against Arsenal.
Carragher thinks Jota has been unfortunate given his recent knock, but thinks he now has to get used to not being a nailed-on starter at Liverpool with Diaz on the scene.
“I think Jota will be on the bench, I think he’s is on the bench at the moment,” said Carragher. “I think Mane will be through the middle, Diaz has got that slot on the left and Salah. That’s the first-choice front three at the moment, I think Jota’s been a little unfortunate. He got a whack at Inter Milan and he came off and he’s never quite been the same since really.”
“He’ll get back in but he’ll have to get used to not always playing every week now,” he added.
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