Pep Lijnders has revealed that Diogo Jota “confronted” Sadio Mane after hearing he could leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich.
What’s the story?
Well, the Dutchman recently released a book titled ‘Intensity’ which shared many interesting stories from inside Liverpool.
One of which involved Jota and Mane, amid early rumours that the Senegal international could join Bayern Munich.
Lijnders wrote that the £40m man “could be a scouser” after he confronted his teammate about the rumours without any hesitation, as the players saw the speculation on Sky Sports during breakfast.
The 39-year-old wrote: “There were rumours Bayern were looking to sign Sadio. During breakfast, Diogo confronted Sadio while seeing the news on Sky. Trent was sitting next to him and we both started laughing when I said Jota could be a Scouser. He confronts without any hesitation.”
Clearly, Jota was alarmed when first hearing the news.
Mane ended his time at Liverpool with 23 goals in 51 appearances, as he helped the Reds win the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, while also reaching another Champions League final.
While Jota seemed to be moved by the 30-year-old leaving, his departure is likely to benefit the Portugal international.
Diogo Jota can go up a gear at Liverpool
Unfortunately, Jota was injured for Saturday’s Community Shield win over Manchester City.
However, with Mane now gone, there is space for him to really become an icon at Anfield.
Jota still has work to do if he is to start ahead of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz under Jürgen Klopp, but after scoring 21 goals in all competitions last season, he has surely earned the right to start – should he return to full fitness soon.
In our view, it is imperative that he stays fit this season, as Klopp’s attacking options have been weakened by the departures of Mane, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino.
If Jota can stay out of the treatment room, there is no reason why he can’t score 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign.
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