McManaman claims Liverpool player who’s ‘really surprised’ him won’t start today

Follow us on Google Discover

Steve McManaman has told the Kelly & Wrighty Show that Diogo Jota has ‘really surprised’ him and he doesn’t expect him to start for Liverpool today.

Despite Jota hitting a hat-trick in the Champions League in midweek, McManaman thinks Jurgen Klopp will start with Roberto Firmino against Manchester City because he ‘trusts’ him.

Whatever Klopp decides in a few hours time, it’s going to be a big call because he either leaves out a player who has been there and done it before or he leaves out someone who looks like they are going to score every time they take to the field.

Either way, McManaman shared what has ‘really surprised’ him about Jota since his big-money move from Wolves this summer.

“I don’t think Diogo Jota will play,” said McManaman. “I think Firmino will definitely play. But yes I am very surprised [by how quickly Jota has settled].

“When he came to Liverpool everybody was surprised when he came in. The talk was Thiago, Thiago and Thiago. They, of course, did that deal and then quickly brought him in afterwards.

“What’s really surprising is that every time he has played, or even when he has come on in a substitute’s role, he looks like he’s going to score all the time. Even when he comes on for 10-15 minutes, it looks as though he’s going to score.

“He puts himself in some wonderful positions and his calmness in front of the goalkeeper and the penalty area has really surprised me. I know he’s talented. I had seen enough of him. But he’s really surprised me as to how well he’s hit the ground running.

“He trusts Firmino and he likes what he brings to the team. Albeit, he’s not scoring the goals he would like him to score himself. He’s a great player when he plays well.”

Whilst this may not happen and is very unlikely, Klopp could even surprise all by pushing to start all four players – Sadio Mane, Jota, Firmino and Mo Salah.

Firmino has the intelligence and technical ability to play in the middle of the park, but then he lacks the combative nature that Klopp likes from his midfield players.

Either way, given what Liverpool have been through since the start of the season, a win against their title rivals would send out a serious message to all.