Assistant manager Pep Lijnders has explained Jurgen Klopp and the club’s decision to make a move for Diogo Jota in the summer, in an interview for the official matchday programme ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Ajax tonight.
The Reds shocked many when they forked out £41 million (BBC) to sign the Portuguese international from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer. Jota was a very good player for Wolves, but his performances for Liverpool have been on a different level.
The 23-year-old has scored nine times already in under 800 minutes of football this season. He is proving to be one of the best signings of the summer, and Lijnders has revealed what convinced Liverpool to make their move.
Lijnders: Jota has fire in his veins
He said: “Diogo comes from a good tactical culture that makes it more easy, but we can never forget that it still takes time for the body to adapt. That’s why we are careful – he is adapting to a new style and new ideas.
“But first and foremost, if you come into a great team, things become easier most of the time. He has these natural abilities that were already very important to our game idea. This is what made us want him so much.
“When a new player comes, it’s always how the player adapts to the team, its mentality, and how the team understands the player. But you can see that he has fire in each vein when he plays, so the adaptation process has been very natural.”
That ‘fire in each vein’ has been evident for everyone to see. Jota has settled in brilliantly, and his form has made a number of Liverpool fans prefer him over Roberto Firmino, who hasn’t quite been as prolific as the former Wolves man.
Jurgen Klopp used both in the game against Manchester City but that cannot happen every time. Jota, Firmino, Salah and Mane cannot start every single game, which means the Portuguese international will have to continue taking his chances to stay in the side.
If Liverpool’s front men keep firing, the Reds will be the team to beat this season. Injuries have made Klopp’s job very difficult but, as long their attackers stay fit, they will remain the favourites to win the Premier League again.
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