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Jota provides perfect extension to the house that Klopp built
It is fair to say that a few eyebrows were raised when Liverpool took the plunge and prised Diogo Jota away from Wolves in the summer transfer window of 2020. Nobody was questioning the Portuguese’s ability, but he arrived at Anfield with a hefty price tag around his neck and no obvious spot in a star-studded side. As has often been the case, though, Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards had another trick up their sleeve. Recruitment in recent times at Anfield has been a thing of beauty, with bargains found around every corner.
More value has been unearthed in Jota, with another hard-working forward slipping seamlessly into the Reds’ ranks. He is tailor-made for a system that leans as heavily on work rate and collective effort as it does technical flair and individual brilliance. A big-money addition hit the ground running on Merseyside and, the odd injury-enforced absence aside, has not broken stride since. There is every chance that Jota will prove to be another important piece in a trophy-winning puzzle.
The Champions League betting website at Paddy Power has Liverpool at 11/2 to claim a seventh European crown this season, while they remain very much in the mix for domestic honours in league and cup competition.
Window
There is also another recruitment window in January to take into account, with Klopp in a position where he can choose to add if he sees fit. If there is another shrewd deal to be done over the winter, expect Liverpool to position themselves at the front of that queue. Jota is, however, waiting patiently in the wings ready for a call to take centre stage. He would not look out of place there and will feel that – after netting a close to a goal every other game – there is even more to come from him. Liverpool have known for some time that this situation was coming and will have planned accordingly.
Focus will always be locked on the present, with the here and now all that matters in a results-driven business, but there are no blinkers in place that threaten to prevent long-term plans from coming to fruition.
Jota formed part of that process when being snapped up, with it obvious that the Reds could not rely solely on Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino to carry them through one energy-sapping campaign after another.
That holy trinity has delivered above and beyond what was expected of them, with one of the most fearsome frontlines in world football pieced together, but they are not infallible and will require outside assistance at times. Jota has played that role to a tee and will continue to do so with a smile on his face and a spring in his step, with a perfect extension being added to the house that Klopp built.
Written by Alan Spencer
More value has been unearthed in Jota, with another hard-working forward slipping seamlessly into the Reds’ ranks. He is tailor-made for a system that leans as heavily on work rate and collective effort as it does technical flair and individual brilliance. A big-money addition hit the ground running on Merseyside and, the odd injury-enforced absence aside, has not broken stride since. There is every chance that Jota will prove to be another important piece in a trophy-winning puzzle.
The Champions League betting website at Paddy Power has Liverpool at 11/2 to claim a seventh European crown this season, while they remain very much in the mix for domestic honours in league and cup competition.
Jota has been playing a starring role in silverware quests at home and abroad, and may become a leading man in the weeks ahead as Klopp prepares to contend with an Africa Cup of Nations selection headache. The most prolific assets in the Reds’ attacking arsenal are set to be called away by their countries early in 2022, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane about to turn their attention towards bids for international glory. It remains to be seen how their absence will impact Champions League betting tips and a battle for top-flight success in England. They will be big misses, of that there is no doubt, but Liverpool have worked hard to add depth to their talent pool.I love this game 🙏⚽️ #YNWA pic.twitter.com/5CubJ40LPs
— Diogo Jota (@DiogoJota18) August 22, 2021
Window
There is also another recruitment window in January to take into account, with Klopp in a position where he can choose to add if he sees fit. If there is another shrewd deal to be done over the winter, expect Liverpool to position themselves at the front of that queue. Jota is, however, waiting patiently in the wings ready for a call to take centre stage. He would not look out of place there and will feel that – after netting a close to a goal every other game – there is even more to come from him. Liverpool have known for some time that this situation was coming and will have planned accordingly.
Focus will always be locked on the present, with the here and now all that matters in a results-driven business, but there are no blinkers in place that threaten to prevent long-term plans from coming to fruition.
Jota formed part of that process when being snapped up, with it obvious that the Reds could not rely solely on Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino to carry them through one energy-sapping campaign after another.
That holy trinity has delivered above and beyond what was expected of them, with one of the most fearsome frontlines in world football pieced together, but they are not infallible and will require outside assistance at times. Jota has played that role to a tee and will continue to do so with a smile on his face and a spring in his step, with a perfect extension being added to the house that Klopp built.
Written by Alan Spencer
