Liverpool forward Diogo Jota wants to be more of a ‘big hit’ at Anfield despite his very early start … as the Portuguese admit he is sorry he can’t help the jaded Reds face three while injured
- Diogo Jota went bankrupt in Liverpool after a £ 41million summer transfer
- The ex-Wolves forward has scored nine goals in 17 goals for the Reds
- The Portuguese picked up a knee injury in December but could return this month
- The 24-year-old said he aims to maintain a consistently good form at the club
Liverpool may have given Diogo Jota an immediate lead after his move from Wolves but he believes he needs to work harder to become a ‘big win.’
The Portuguese international has scored nine goals in 17 goals – becoming the third Liverpool player to score a hat-trick away from the Champions League – before a knee injury blocked his progress.
The injury in the dead-rubber European tie against Midtjylland in early December ruled out the 24-year-old for two months but he may return before the end of January.
Diogo Jota (above) was injured against Midtjylland in December but could return later this month
He said: ‘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. When I am healthy I know that I will do my best in every training session to give myself a chance to play.
‘In Portugal they would say that the hardest thing to get is to stay there. So that’s really my target. 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 almost immediately after his £ 41million move from Molineux in September.
The Reds star, signed from Wolves for £ 41m this summer, has scored nine goals in 17 games.
He was swiftly joined by Mohamed Salah’s three established faces, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, with manager Jurgen Klopp relying on him to play alongside the trio in Manchester’s November 1-1 draw City.
The Portuguese, who became the first Liverpool player to score in his four appearances at Anfield, believes it is a career he can reproduce when appropriate again.
‘When I first arrived my goal was to get into the team and know what we have to do on the field,’ he said in a Liverpool birthday program.
Jota, 24, has hit the ground running at Liverpool and broken into all three excellent Reds faces.
‘After that the goal is to do your best and take advantage of the opportunities you may have and that’s all I always try to do. Can we play as four more often in the future? You have to ask the manager because he is the one who decides. ‘
Klopp could certainly do so with the flexibility of the forward to lead a forward-looking line in Newcastle’s goalless draw.
Instead, he may have to use the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Xherdan Shaqiri at Southampton on Monday if he is to rest on the tried and trusted triumvirate.
Jota looks away from home but admits it has been a difficult five weeks for him.
He said: ‘Now supporting from the outside is not easy. 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. ‘