Liverpool may have brought forward Diogo Jota immediately after his move from Wolves but he believes he needs to work harder to become a “big win”.
The Portuguese international scored nine goals in 17 goals – including becoming the third player at the club to receive a hat-trick score from the away Champions League – before a knee problem prevented him his progress.
An injury in the dead rubber against Midtjylland in early December ruled out the 24-year-old for two months but he is making good progress and could return by the end of January.
“Things are going well but knee injuries are always complicated so we can’t rip things off but I’m doing well and I’ll be back on the field as soon as possible,” he said.
“When I’m healthy I know I do my best in every training session and then every day to give myself a chance to play.
“In Portugal they would say that the hardest thing to get is to stay there.
“It simply came to our notice then. Now that I have moved to Liverpool I want to make a big impact on this club and that is what I try to do every day. ”
Jota surprised many by hitting the ground running after his £ 41million move in September.
He was the first Liverpool player to score on his first four appearances at home and even entered quickly with the three established faces of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, with the manager Jurgen Klopp trusts he will play alongside the trio in a 1- Nov 1 draw at Manchester City.
The Portuguese believe it is a role that can be reproduced when appropriate again.
“When I first arrived my goal was to join the team and know what we have to do on the field,” he said in an interview with Liverpool’s birthday program.
“After that the goal is to do your best and take advantage of the opportunities you may have and that is all I always try to do.
“Can we play four more often in the future? You have to ask the manager because he’s the one deciding. ”
Klopp could certainly do so with the flexibility of the forward to lead a forward line that looked a bit jaded in Newcastle ‘s goalless draw.
Instead he may have to make changes at Southampton on Monday with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Xherdan Shaqiri if he is to rest on his trustworthy trio.
Jota looks away from home but admits it has been a difficult five weeks for him.
“Now outside support is not easy,” he said.
“It’s even harder when you have to suffer as a fan and you literally can’t do anything to help the team on the field. ”