It once seemed as though Roberto Firmino’s long-term replacement would be Diogo Jota. Not as a false nine, but as the captain of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool assault.
The 26-year-old arrived to Merseyside in 2020 and quickly established himself as a center attacker, flanked by Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. Even though injuries derailed his Reds debut season, he still managed to score 13 goals and contribute with an assist in just 1,762 minutes across all competitions.
He started the opening Premier League game of the 2021–2022 season, defeating Norwich City 3-0 and scoring the game’s first goal. Before the new year, Jota had 10 goals in the English Premier League, netting against Manchester United, Arsenal, Everton, and Spurs as the Reds notched up some impressive victories with their number 20 leading the line.
The former Wolves winger was hampered by the arrival of Luis Diaz. The Colombian international took the left-wing position as his own, forcing Mane into a central position and temporarily demoting Jota to the bench. It also meant that he was being moved around the attack more regularly, playing on the right and left when he did have the chance.
Despite this, he still managed to play 3,572 minutes and end the season with 21 goals and 8 assists. Only Mohamed Salah (31) and Sadio Mane (23) scored more goals for the Reds.
Jota displayed strong play during the international break, contributing to Portugal’s 9-0 victory over Luxembourg with two goals and an assist. However, his future with Liverpool is uncertain. He is the ideal squad player since he can play anywhere in the attack and is a genuine goal threat both directly and indirectly when he isn’t at his best.
He needs to be playing frequently since, at age 26, he is entering the prime of his career. Diaz appears to be Klopp’s preferred left winger, Salah is an uncontested starter on the right, and Jota is in a three-way competition with Darwin and Gakpo for the starting center forward position.
