Should Diogo Jota Return to the Liverpool First Team?

Following a man-of-the-match performance in Alisson Becker’s first start back after injury (against Girona in the 0-1 win), the realisation of returning assets must now move towards the forward line and what positive impact can be undertaken there. Despite garnering top-of-the-table positions at the pinnacle of both the Champions League and Premier League standings, the output of the centre-forward position remains questionable for the new coaching team. The consistency of the Reds Uruguayan hit-man, Darwin Núñez, remains a frustrating concern for the fanbase, whereas the sporadic centre-forward use of his fellow South American, Luis Díaz, is not a long-term solution.

Since the arrival on Merseyside of the new head coach, Arne Slot, Cody Gakpo has been used almost exclusively as the left-sided attacker and will continue to be so. This reality meant that at the outset of this ongoing 2024/25 campaign, the Portuguese poacher, Diogo Jota, was immediately awarded the initial chance to make the centre forward berth his own. Despite lacking elite-level production in front of goal this season, his performances have been both intelligent and measured, with important goals coming at a solid enough rate. What we know of the former Wolves man, is his clinical edge in front of goal and where he was once commonly drafted into wider positions (under former manager Jürgen Klopp), he appears to have had his duties adjusted to a more specific position under new leadership.

What Does Jota’s Return Mean For The Team?

Since the 28-year-old incurred his rib injury in October, Liverpool have elevated from a team that was winning games with control, to a side that is now more refined and fully in tune with the new patterns of play. As each asset continues to elevate in its respective performances, it becomes a reality that can create a far more productive return for Jota. The opportunities for his direct competition, Darwin, may now have run dry and the upcoming encounter against visiting Fulham may see the returning 46-cap Portugal international reinstated immediately into the starting eleven.

With four goals and two assists in ten games played this term for the number 20, that goal production would have been greatly improved if not for the last thirteen games being missed through injury. As a direct comparison, the 25-year-old, Darwin Núñez, has just three goals and two assists in his nineteen games played. The goal involvements could at times be overlooked if other parts of his game were not excelling, however, with a lack of cohesion in the Liverpool build-up play, his role looks likely to be reduced to a pure backup and impact variation from the bench.

Should Jota Start on Saturday?

The return of another more intelligent and consistent performer can mirror the recent return of Alisson Becker, who came straight back into the side despite the good overall form of his understudy, Caoimhin Kelleher. The former Feyenoord manager, Slot, is very aware of the importance of having the best players on the pitch for crucial encounters, therefore, I suspect as soon as his preferred striking option is fully fit and has undertaken enough training sessions to warrant a recall, that is exactly what will transpire.

Hopefully, with a full week of training and a home game to come at the weekend, the timeframe will allow for that immediate recall of Diogo Jota, which can only add to the quality of the attack.