Klopp hails Jota’s quality but says he can get much better
DIOGO Jota has already made a solid claim to become part of a new Liverpool ‘Fab Four’ just five weeks after arriving at Anfield.
The Portugal international is averaging a goal every other Premier League game after his header in the 2-1 win over Sheffield United made it two in four since a £45million deal brought him to the club from Wolves last month.
He was deployed as the rightsided forward in a 4-2-3-1 system as Jurgen Klopp fielded all his main attackers together for the first time.
It conjured up memories of the manager’s original ‘Fab Four’ when Philippe Coutinho played alongside Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane before he joined Barcelona.
“He is a good player, that’s why we signed him,” said Klopp.
“The player he is: he is quick, he has the physicality, he is strong, he is good in the air, he is good on the ground... a lot of good things.
“He has exactly the quality we need, so that helps a lot.
“Yes, Diogo scored a super goal and was really involved in the game. He can be much better, 100 per cent, and that’s good news.”
The changed formation meant Salah was pushed into a central striking role with Firmino, their other goalscorer on the night, behind him and Mane in his usual left-wing position. Klopp insists he did not change his tactics in order to shoehorn Jota into the team but that it was a reflection of the depth of options he had at his disposal.
“It was a game where all four played up front together but it was not so much about getting Diogo on the pitch because he can play a lot of positions in our usual formation,” said the manager.
“But it gives us an extra option. It brought Mo in a different position, where I have to say he played an incredible game.
“Mo and Sadio didn’t score but played outstanding. Sadio was, in the one-on-one situations, pretty much undefendable. Mo between the lines, sensational.”