Klopp: The future is bright for Jota

Jurgen Klopp says that Diogo Jota is making huge strides since joining the club but there is plenty more improvement left in the Portuguese star.

In his first league start at Anfield, the 23 year-old forward was a hard worker throughout and his reward was a priceless winner with a pin-point header from a Sadio Mane cross.

Liverpool were certainly not at their fluent best, still adapting to life without Virgil Van Dijk, but gladly welcomed back Alisson from a three match absence with a Shoulder injury.

VAR continued to antagonise the Liverpool faithful when Sheffield United won a highly debatable penalty early in the contest when Fabinho was adjudged to have fouled Blades striker Oliver McBurnie despite countless video replays not being conclusive in declaring where in fact the contact was.

Sander Berge duly dispatched the spot-kick and it was clear that the visitors, without a win heading into this contest were growing in confidence. Roberto Firmino got himself on the scoresheet for the first time this season tapping home from close range which would have been a massive boost to his confidence. 

Jota then scored his goal midway through the second half, his second since joining the club and speaking in his post-match (per Sky Sports) the German spoke highly of the recent arrival.

"He's still adapting to us, a lot of things are not natural to him that we do," Klopp said. "But that's because Wolves play differently. A lot of things he did for Wolves are what we want him to do. 

“That he is that close already is just a sign of how good a player he is, and if he stays fit, he is 23, the future is bright. We will need his quality, I'm happy with how he's settled in.

“He's a good player, that's what I like about him, I said it to my coaches and said it's so easy because he's such a likeable person which makes everything easy. The player is quick, his physicality is strong, he's good in the air, on the ground, but he has the quality we need, and that helps a lot."

The player himself was delighted to have had the final say but it tinged with a bit of sadness.

“Like I said before when I scored my first one, I just wish these stands could be full to make it even more special. But I think in the end the most important [thing] was that my goal was important to seal the victory, so I’m very pleased with that.”

As we have seen so far this season,  results are of a such a inconsistent nature and points so hard to pick up on a consistent basis which is why every win should be savoured in their own way.

Jota is well aware of what lies ahead and that is why momentum is key.

“I think that’s why we need everyone to stay fit, we need everyone to give his best. I think we go game by game but we know how hard it will be so it’s important for us to get the points.”