Jurgen Klopp has been asked to start Diogo Jota in place of him this weekend.
Jota has surprisingly started each of Liverpool’s two Premier League games this season. On Saturday, the 26-year-old scored his first goal of the season, capitalizing on a parried Dominik Szoboszlai shot to put Liverpool up 3-1.
However, according to commentator Stephan Warnock, that should not be enough to retain him on the team. The veteran Reds defender told Sky Sports News through The Express yesterday that Jota was the ‘weak link’ in Klopp’s forward line.
“I think there’s a real mixture between the three [forward players],” the analyst began. “I believe [Luis] Diaz is the player who will try to pull people off their chairs and onto their feet. He’s the type of player who can take on individuals.
“Salah will do it to some extent, but Salah has moments in games where he’s very quiet, but you just have that feeling whenever he gets on the ball that something special could happen, or he could change it in an instant.”
“Jota is arguably the weakest link in the three because of his link-up play; he’s sloppy with the ball at times, and it breaks down a little bit.” When it comes into the penalty box, he’s a different animal; he comes to life and is on it in a flash, as evidenced by the goal [on Saturday].
“I believe that if Endo starts and [Alexis] Mac Allister and [Dominik] Szoboszlai play higher up the pitch, that moves Gakpo into that central striker position, and Jota drops to the bench.”
Klopp has been encouraged to release Jota
Many people will disagree with Warnock here. Jota has often demonstrated that he is worthy of a starting spot for Liverpool.
Many others, however, will understand where the 41-year-old is coming from.
Although he scored and set up Luis Diaz’s opener on Saturday, you had the impression Diogo could have done more.
His touch may be exasperatingly poor at times, and he has a habit of giving the ball away every time he gets it.
With Darwin Nunez on the bench and Cody Gakpo in a deeper role, it’s difficult not to wish for either to replace Jota.
Klopp, on the other hand, certainly believes in him. And Jota has earned that faith since his £45 million move to Anfield in 2020. The 26-year-old has 42 goals in 115 games for the club and has proven to be a reliable supplier when Liverpool has needed him. For the time being, he appears to be wearing the clothing.
We don’t see that changing very soon if Alexis Mac Allister’s red card is upheld. With few alternative choices, Gakpo is likely to remain in midfield. Darwin may have a point, but as long as Jota continues scoring, it’s difficult to see Jurgen benching him.