Klopp says he knew Liverpool recruit would be perfect; hopeful over injuries

Matthew Briggs 02 Nov 2020 12:02 PM

Jurgen Klopp has revealed he knew it would not take long for Diogo Jota to get up to speed at Liverpool.

The former Wolves forward signed for Liverpool for £41m in September and he has already contributed massively for the champions.

The 23-year-old has four goals in nine games, including two winning goals in the Reds’ last two home Premier League games.

His arrival has been branded “clever” by pundit Gary Neville and Klopp says his speedy integration at Anfield has been “special”.

Asked about Jota’s form, Klopp, speaking via Zoom ahead of Tuesday’s date in Italy with Atalanta.

“He is good, he is how players should be when they join us,” said Klopp.

“He is at the best age, 23, already experienced. He’s a really good boy and a really good signing.

“We never hold players back at the beginning, they just need time to adapt but I knew before it wouldn’t take long for him to adapt because of how Wolves play.

“He has to play a different system but the intensity from Wolves is incredibly high. They only have one player who has to defend slightly less and that is Jimenez. But the boys on the wings have to run like crazy, so it was clear he would be fine physically.

“And technically we saw he was good and the rest is about finding your feet in a new environment. The boys always make it easy for new players.

“Diogo is a really good guy, he is open and his English is brilliant.

“It was easy for him to step into the team, the dressing room. He has been involved in games and it is special. It’s good that we have more than 11 that are in good shape.”

Injury situation

Klopp has confirmed that Naby Keita and Joel Matip have returned to full training.

However, Thiago Alcantara did not feature in Sunday’s session, and Klopp has admitted he will make a late decision on Keita and Matip’s involvement against Atalanta.

Klopp told the club’s website: “Naby and Joel trained yesterday with the team, full, Thiago didn’t. So, that’s the situation.

“I have really no idea what I do with this information in the moment because yes, they trained, that’s good, it’s better than if they don’t train. But we have to see what we do with it.

“We have another day to make these decisions. A lot of players will be on the plane hopefully, and so decisions will be made late, late, late.”

“We have to wait until medical department gives us green or orange or red light. We have more centre-halves available than we probably will line up together, so that’s good.”

Klopp will not be able to call on Nat Phillips, who is not registered for the Champions League, but Rhys Williams is available, as well as Matip.

Diogo Jota