Pep Lijnders has revealed the simple trick Liverpool need to deploy more often for Diogo Jota to unleash his best form.
Liverpool must keep Diogo Jota in an ‘angry mood’ so he can continue playing at an ‘incredible’ level, according to assistant coach Pep Lijnders.
Jota has made a timely return to the team after spending over a month out injured. Since Mohamed Salah left to play for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Portuguese has stepped up. He has supplied two goals and two assists in the two games Liverpool have played without Salah so far.
His impressive performances have led Lijnders to compare him to the club’s former star attacking trio of Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino.
“Jota, I never judge just on goals but it is a sign of the squad and the character,” Lijnders said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“When Jota is in this angry mood when he wants to run against the world he can do incredible things.
“We have to get him in this mood as often as possible. It is never that you can rely [on just a few]. If Mo [Salah] played well, Sadio [Mane] didn’t, and then Bobby [Firmino] did when the other two were not. So it is about being confident.”
Liverpool will hope Jota continues his excellent form on Wednesday when they face Fulham in the return leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.
The Reds hold a 2-1 aggregate lead following their victory in the first leg on January 10.
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