‘He was clear’ – Diogo Jota reveals first thing Klopp demanded from him after signing for Liverpool

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Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) gestures with Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 27, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

With Liverpool lacking a clear goal threat down the middle of the front-three and results proving to be similarly unforthcoming, it’s clear that Diogo Jota’s presence in the squad is greatly missed.

The Portuguese international opened up on a conversation he had with Jurgen Klopp upon his signing for the club back in 2020, which goes some way to illustrating exactly how much his injury-enforced absence is negatively impacting upon the side.

“He was clear. I was there to challenge the front three not to be happy with being a substitute player who comes on,” the 25-year-old told Sky Sports.

“Playing with the best makes you better so I knew that I would increase my level as well and that would help me get into the team.

“I think that is what I did pretty much from the beginning.”

Scoring 15 goals in 35 league appearances for the German’s men last term, there’s a general sense when looking at his statistics that the former Wolves star can deliver an even bigger haul of goals this term if he can avoid a further spell in the injury room.

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Diogo Jota registered 29 goal contributions in 55 games last term (across all competitions) for Liverpool

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With a goal difference that has now fallen into the minuses following a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford, the lack of proper firepower in the centre-forward spot could not be more blatant.

Darwin Nunez’s three-game suspension looks set to leave us struggling in that regard until potentially the start of September when Liverpool are due to pay a visit to city rivals Everton at Goodison Park.

Meanwhile, we’ll be left hoping for a mini-injury miracle at the AXA training centre as we hope to avoid another dysfunctional display in Manchester and earn our first win of the campaign at Anfield this Saturday – a task that looks near-insurmountable if the club isn’t prepared to consider a potential formation change on the day.

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