Diogo Jota would not be same player at Barcelona, says Barnes

John Barnes believes that Jurgen Klopp is a genius at finding the right players that can fit into his Liverpool system.

After Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, Andy Robertson and Thiago before him, Diogo Jota is Klopp’s latest recruit to hit the ground running.

The former Wolves striker was a £41m recruit in the transfer window, and after blasting seven goals in 10 games he has already become a star at Anfield.

Barnes was asked if he has been impressed by the 23-year-old and says that Klopp’s eye for players that fit his system is unreal.

“I have been, I thought he was a good player for Wolves, I thought he would do well but I don’t think anyone would imagine he’d be doing this well. You need to give people time to fit into a new club with new surroundings and a new system,”

“Every time Jota has come on as a sub or started he’s done really well and it shows from a recruitment point of view that Jurgen Klopp is still spot on with looking at players that he knows can fit into what he wants.

“Jota scored eight goals last season for Wolves and he’s already scored seven for Liverpool, he never necessarily came to the club as a goalscorer but the way Liverpool plays allows him to score more goals. The transfer has worked out better than anyone would have thought.”

Former Liverpool winger Barnes believes a lot of his players’ success is down to the German coach.

“Klopp buys players that fits into his system. If Diogo Jota went to another club he won’t be able to do what he’s doing at Liverpool, neither would Sadio Mane, neither would Mohamed Salah,” said Barnes.

“Klopp is not turning them into good players, they are good players, Liverpool’s system and style suits them. If Jota goes to Barcelona, for example, he won’t go there and score loads of goals or play as well.

“I don’t think any of the Liverpool players would and that’s what the club wants, to find players who can suit their system to be successful. It doesn’t matter whether they’re doing it at other clubs or not, look at Fabinho, he might have been wanted by Manchester City or Barcelona but he does well at Liverpool because Klopp knows how he wants his team to play.

“Jota is a fantastic player, but there’s no way that Jota would be able to go to Real Madrid and do the same thing, it’s all down to Jurgen Klopp and finding those players that suits his style.

Jota still back-up

“Mane, Salah and Firmino are still the front three. I don’t think Jota is all of a sudden going to 100% start all of the games, but of course, Liverpool now have competition for places.

“They know that whenever he is needed Jota can come into the team and play a part, the other players they have had, Shaqiri or Origi, would be able to come in and maintain the same quality over a long period of time, but with Jota you can.

“There’s Tiago in midfield too, so those two signings have helped Liverpool get strength in depth. They don’t have to play all the time, Klopp can maintain consistency.”

READ MORE: RED LETTER: The factors Klopp must use as guide in Jota, Firmino debate