Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised Diogo Jota’s movement against Rangers last night.
Klopp unveiled a new system for Liverpool as he fielded four attacking players at Anfield. One of those was Jota, who took up something of a roaming position slightly behind the other forwards.
And speaking to liverpoolfc.com after the game, the Reds manager highlighted Jota’s movement as being particularly pleasing.
“I think our set-up was the biggest surprise tonight, let me say it like this, that’s for sure. We surprised ourselves! Yeah, these situations can then happen. It was difficult to defend. I think Diogo Jota moved particularly well in between the lines, Darwin kept them away. But we will see what we do when we come to Rangers,” said Klopp.
“We respect them a lot and we know it’s a different game, different occasion and we don’t even think that we are kind of halfway through or the right side. No. That’s why I said 2-0, top result, tough game, fight, good, go from here.”
Jota looking lively but still waiting for first goal
There had been some rumblings that Klopp was about to try out something different against Rangers.
In the end, the boss opted to go with a much more attacking looking system. With all of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Jota on the pitch, Liverpool looked instantly less stodgy.
While in previous games they’ve looked desperately rigid in their beloved 4-3-3 system, the spark seemed to be back.
A lot of that was down to both Nunez and Jota’s movements off the ball. As we regularly see with Jota, he’s really at his best when picking up positions that defenders don’t want to be dragged into.
His work on the ball isn’t always as tidy as it could be, but his direct style and clever movement cause panic in defences.
If this version of Jota can carry on, then Klopp will have no choice but to keep on using him. The only thing missing was a bit of composure when in good shooting or passing positions.
Still, the 25-year-old would likely have had a goal had it not been for an excellent reaction save from Allan McGregor.
As it is, the Portugal international is still looking for his first Liverpool goal of the season. On this evidence, he won’t have to wait too much longer. Speaking of which, is that Arsenal up next on the fixture list?
