Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, Ian Wright has been discussing the reception Diogo Jota got this week when he came off the bench against Everton.
The Portuguese attacker returned after a long-term injury in the Merseyside derby and to say that he got a rousing reception would be an understatement.
The Kop were on their feet to welcome Jota back to action, and while that was great to see, Wright is worried that Darwin Nunez could be negatively affected by seeing his replacement being cheered so much.
Nunez upset by the love shown to Jota
Wright gave his verdict on this situation.
“It was amazing, but I was thinking it could be quite sad for Darwin Nunez to hear the roar like that. It’s the kind of reception that when you’re coming off as a striker and someone gets that reception you hear that. It’s not something where you think ‘oh they like him better than me.’ But you do hear it and it makes you feel a certain way. He gets chances in every game and at some point it has to change for him,” Wright said.
Nothing personal
Nunez may well have been a bit taken aback by the love Jota received, but he must realise that it’s nothing personal.
He’d get the exact same reception if he was out injured for a number of months and made his return in a triumphant Merseyside derby.
Liverpool fans will always back their players to the fullest degree, never more so than when they’re recovering from a hardship.
Nunez should be buoyed by this moment, not disheartened.
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