Big Season Ahead For Diogo Jota
The Arne Slot era is officially underway on Merseyside, with the Dutchman getting his first taste of the Premier League experience with a challenging 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. After a lackluster first half, the Reds turned on the jets in the second, with two quickfire goals after some silky smooth buildup play to claim the three points. It was an encouraging performance, and it speaks to the tactical adaptability of Arne Slot, as he was able to get the Reds flowing after that mediocre first half. Among those who spearheaded the victory was Diogo Jota.
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The Portuguese international earned the starting nod at the “9” role to start the season. After a productive but injury-riddled campaign last season, our number 20 seems to have picked up where he left off, finishing off a well-worked move to score Liverpool’s opener. It was vintage Diogo Jota, with a composed, precise finish, with his overall performance hopefully serving to kick off his Liverpool career under Arne Slot. In a way, there is some slight pressure for the Portuguese to have a truly standout campaign this year, especially since a majority of the fan base knows what he brings to the table and his importance to the side.
Goalscoring Nous
One does not get the nickname “Jota the Slotter” if one does not put the ball at the back of the net. Undoubtedly Diogo’s best trait, if you’re going to put money on any current Liverpool player to put away a glorious chance, it would be our number 20. Probably the best pure goalscorer at the club, Jota is a natural poacher who can finish well with both feet and is an excellent header of the ball despite not being that tall. His career stats pretty much highlight this. Jota has 58 goals in 165 appearances. His best tally came in the 21/22 season, scoring 21 goals in 55 appearances.
Last season saw a more modest, but still good return from Jota, scoring 15 goals in all competitions alongside 32 appearances. In what was, unfortunately, an injury-riddled campaign, the importance of Jota was emphasized with Liverpool’s lackluster end to last season, with the Reds struggling to find precision in front of goal, as they lost their grip on the title.
Injury Issues
Using Liverpool’s opening day performance against Ipswich as an analogy, this aspect of Jota’s game represents the first half of that 2-0 win. For such an excellent goalscorer and player, injuries have held Jota back from becoming a truly world-class, reliable attacker among the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, and Bobby Firmino.
Simply put, all the talent and skill in the world is immaterial if you aren’t healthy enough to see the pitch. Since becoming a Liverpool player, Jota has missed 77 games due to injury. A frankly, eye-watering amount, considering how critical every game is to Liverpool when competing at the highest honors. The last two seasons have seen Diogo miss 50 of these 77 games, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say this has cost Liverpool dearly. The Reds couldn’t afford such a critical player missing that big a chunk of a season, especially since the club is looking to win the biggest trophies year after year.
An Early Prediction For Jota
Needless to say, this season is a big one for Diogo Jota, in terms of establishing himself in Arne Slot’s plans, and his future at the club. As critical a player he is, his unreliability due to injuries has cost the Reds dearly over the last few seasons. This season isn’t necessarily a make or break for our number 20, but another injury-riddled, unreliable campaign can force the club to cash in on his value.
There’s no doubt however, that the Reds are better positioned to achieve their goals if Jota manages to stay healthy, as he was throughout the 21/22 season, posting the best numbers of his Liverpool career. As is tradition here at American Scouser, I’m ending this piece with a prediction. Jota stays relatively healthy this season and goes neck and neck with Mo Salah for our top scorer numbers, proving to everyone that he’ll be a key player in the side for many years to come.
