Jota backed to replace key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool system

Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Roberto Firmino Liverpool TEAMtalk

Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness believes Diogo Jota will be putting pressure on Roberto Firmino’s starting place “pretty quickly.”

Jota has made an impressive start to life at Anfield since his £40million move from Wolves last month.

The Portuguese forward has scored four goals in nine games for the Reds, including two Premier League match winners in the last week.

He netted the decisive strike in his side’s win over Sheffield United last week, and secured another three points for Jurgen Klopp’s men with an 85th goal as they beat West Ham 2-1 on Saturday evening.

His performances have led to calls for him to be a starter for the Merseyside club. For that to happen though, he would have to take the place of one of the much praised ‘front three’.

And Souness has backed Jota to force Klopp into considering dropping Firmino in order to get him into the first eleven.

Speaking on Sky Sports (via the Daily Mail) he said: “I would imagine pretty quickly he will be challenging Firmino for a starting spot.

“Why not? He’s got goals, he got a goal in what, every three games at Wolves. And now he’s in a better team so that should improve.

 

“I like him a lot, 23-years-old, he can only do better.”

Firmino struggles continue

As well as his own form, the underwhelming displays of Firmino will only strengthen Jota’s case to be a regular starter.

The Brazilian had another quiet night against West Ham and was hooked for Jota after 70 minutes.

That means he remains on just one league goal and two assists for the season, despite starting every game.

And his decreasing return may lead to him being dropped in the near future, particularly with others in the squad hoping to get their chance.

Klopp may choose to give the 29-year-old a chance to play himself back into form, after all he is the player Klopp has used the most during his time at Anfield (247 times).

However, Jota’s hot streak my push him into making a change sooner rather than later.