Dream Team managers who took a chance on Diogo Jota (£4.5m) in Gameweek 1 have struck gold. Pre-season chatter indicated that Jota would lead Liverpool’s attack, and he proved this to be true with a standout performance against Ipswich on Saturday. Despite Ipswich’s valiant effort in their top-flight return, Liverpool’s superior quality prevailed, and Jota made his mark with a precise finish on the hour mark, securing a 3-0 win.
Jota, who was substituted for Cody Gakpo (£4.5m) with just over ten minutes left, earned nine Dream Team points. He also missed a close-range header that could have led to an assist for Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.5m). Despite this missed opportunity, Jota’s performance reaffirms his role as Liverpool’s first-choice striker, at least for now.
With Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures looking favorable until mid-October, Jota’s potential seems high. He has averaged a goal every 139 minutes in the Premier League since joining Liverpool, though injuries have hampered his game time recently. If he stays injury-free and gets consistent starts, his £4.5m price tag could turn out to be a steal.
However, this could spell trouble for Dream Team managers favoring Darwin Nunez (£4.5m) and Gakpo, as competition is intense for Liverpool’s forward positions. With Mohamed Salah (£7m) secure on the right and Luis Diaz (£4.5m) also in the mix, Jota’s rise could mean fewer opportunities for others in the squad.
Nunez and Gakpo are already among the most transferred-out players ahead of Gameweek 2. As predicting line-ups, especially with new managers, can be tricky, many managers will use their two transfers to correct early mistakes before Gameweek 2. Holding onto non-starters could exacerbate problems, making timely adjustments crucial.
