DIOGO Jota has made us even better
Says Roberto Firmino
ROBERTO FIRMINO says he doesn’t see Diogo Jota as a personal rival and believes Liverpool’s famous attack is even stronger with his new team-mate on board.
Portuguese winger Jota, 23, has made an outstanding start to his Liverpool career after a surprise £41million move from Wolves in September.
So good, in fact, that after seven goals in 11 games it has even been suggested he could keep Firmino out of the team’s legendary front three which also includes Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
But Brazilian Firmino, who has been such a crucial part of Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp, remains a huge favourite with the German manager and the club’s fans.
And he has no problems at all with the arrival of a new team-mate ahead of tonight’s home clash with Leicester.
So, as the two wait to see if they are selected to face their potential title rivals, the one thing Firmino is not worried about is competition for places.
He said: “We have a great squad so earning a starting position here is not easy at all, I am used to that.
“Diogo Jota is an excellent footballer and he is another companion in the squad.
“We all work hard during the week and then the coach will decide who comes out. So I don’t have any personal battle with him.”
Instead, Firmino believes that the addition of Jota to Liverpool’s attacking trio could see the team reach new heights.
The former Hoffenheim man added: “Liverpool’s attack line is spectacular and I would say that it is comparable to any in the world in any of the other major leagues.
“Now this year I see it as being even better.
“And it’s not excitement or emotion that makes me say this – but simply a result of looking at the statistics and the numbers. As for me, I work
hard in training and then on the field I do what Jurgen Klopp tells me to do. That is my working philosophy – always.”
Jota’s highlights so far in his short Liverpool career include a Champions League hat-trick at Atalanta, a late winner against West Ham and another winner against Sheffield United.
In fact, he has scored six goals in the last five games for his new club and, when you take into account his international goals, he has already reached double figures for the season.
That’s in stark contrast to Firmino, 29, who has scored just once for Liverpool since July.
But only a fool would suggest that the samba star, famous for knitting Liverpool’s holy trinity together, won’t play a significant part i n the club’s continued success. Firmino is one of only a few players in the team who has been there from the very start under Klopp, having been signed by his
predecessor Brendan Rodgers for £29m in June 2015.
So there’s double reason for the striker to be looking forward to this evening’s clash against Leicester where Rodgers is now in charge five years after being shown the door at Anfield.
Firmino said: “He is a good coach, that is for sure.
“I didn’t have him as a boss for a long time but I know that he supported my arrival at Liverpool and that is a big positive for me.
“It’s a very good Leicester team we are playing and it’s no surprise they have been up at the top of the table.
“I see them as being in the fight for the title but we can say the same.”