The Portuguese has made a flying start to his Reds career, with Klopp’s assistant now revealing what prompted the Liverpool boss to sign him.
Pep Lijnders has revealed Diogo Jota’s natural talents and tactical perception makes him suitable for Jurgen Klopp’s tactics, and made the Liverpool boss want him ‘so much’.
Despite enjoying tremendous success with his famed attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino, Klopp invested €44.7m in September to sign a new forward in Jota from Wolves.
The decision may have raised a few eyebrows at the time, but Jota’s impressive start has quashed doubts.
The 23-year-old has already scored nine goals in 14 appearances in all competitions to stake a claim for a spot in Klopp’s line-up.
Only Mohamed Salah (10) has scored more goals for Liverpool this season than Diogo Jota (9).
A key player already. 🔑 pic.twitter.com/4R15LkfMlO
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 28, 2020
“Jurgen had an important role because the way he speaks with the players about our style and our identity is so clear and strong, he has the magic to make these things look simpler,” The German’s assistant, Lijnders, told the club’s official matchday program.
“Diogo comes from a good tactical culture that makes it more easy, but we can never forget that it still takes time for the body to adapt.
“That’s why we are careful – he is adapting to a new style and new ideas. But first and foremost, if you come into a great team, things become easier most of the time.
“He has these natural abilities that were already very important to our game idea. This is what made us want him so much.
“When a new player comes, it’s always how the player adapts to the team, its mentality, and how the team understands the player.
“But you can see that he has fire in each vein when he plays, so the adaptation process has been very natural.”
Jota and Liverpool will be in action on Tuesday night at home to Ajax in the Champions League.
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