Diogo-ing from strength to strength in Reds romp
DIOGO JOTA carried on where he left off on Saturday with a brilliant hattrick for Liverpool as they coasted to a superb 5-0 win in Atalanta last night.
Jota struck a late winner as Jurgen Klopp’s team saw off West Ham in the Premier League last weekend. And the former Wolves man was at it again and then some in northern Italy.
Six-time European Cup winners Liverpool have now won all three of their Champions League group games so far, and a place in the last 16 of the tournament is virtually certain.
The visitors started brightly, and Sadio Mane had already had a shot tipped over the crossbar when the Reds broke the deadlock after 16 minutes.
Trent Alexander-Arnold fed Jota, who burst ahead of defender Jose Luis Palomino and elegantly chipped the ball over goalkeeper Marco Sportiello.
And 17 minutes later, Liverpool doubled their lead. Joe Gomez found Jota with a fine pass, and the Portuguese turned inside and lashed a shot home.
Sportiello saved well from Mane as Klopp’s men coasted through the remainder of the first half.
After the break, the hosts fell apart as Liverpool scored three goals in seven minutes, First, an Atalanta corner was cleared and Mohamed Salah broke away to finish stylishly.
Salah then turned provider for Mane, who curled home delightfully, before Mane sent Jota through to round the keeper and complete his hat-trick.
Duvan Zapata struck a post for the hosts as they looked for a consolation but this was a horrible night for Atalanta, who face a battle to qualify.
For Liverpool however, things are really looking good, that unlikely aberration at Aston Villa last month aside. Top of their leagues at home and abroad. The mark of champions.