Michael Owen has claimed that Liverpool’s Diogo Jota is ‘one of the best exponents’ of how to time his runs when a cross is coming into a box, as he told Premier League Productions (02/04/22 at 2:35 pm).
On Saturday, Liverpool beat Watford 2-0 at Anfield, with Jota showcasing that talent and Owen adding that his timing is ‘up there with the very best’.
Jota opened the scoring when he glanced home, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross, well it was actually Joe Gomez doing his best impression of his fellow teammate.
But just like Liverpool’s leaping striker has done all season, he channelled his inner Alan Shearer and glanced home past Ben Foster in fine style.
Whilst the aerial game wasn’t Owen’s best trait during his playing days, he loves what Jota does in the air and shared these thoughts on the 25-year-old.
“It’s all about timing,” said Owen. “When Gomez hits it, how long is that ball going to take to get in that area and how long do I need to get onto that cross.
“All of those things constitute in what you call ‘timing of a run’. And he is one of the best exponents of it in the Premier League.
“A great header of the ball. But his timing is right up there with the very best – when you have got players like Jota then you know why.”
It’s a trip to Jota’s homeland for Liverpool on Tuesday night, as they face off against Benfica in Lisbon.
Jurgen Klopp selected Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Jota as his front three yesterday and it will be interesting if there are changes for the first leg of their Champions League showdown.
Ex-Porto man, Jota, will be eager to showcase his worth in his motherland, but there is also Sadio Mane on the bench.
As well as Luis Diaz, who has hit the ground running since he swapped the colours of Porto for the Merseyside giants in January.
He has never lost to Benfica during his five matches against them, scoring and supplying an assist each during that period.
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