How Diogo Jota overcame injuries and a 372-day wait to convince Liverpool of his value

Like much of his Liverpool career, Diogo Jonas season had a bit of everything.

After missing pre-season with a hamstring injury, the striker struggled to catch up from the start – having to watch Liverpool’s uninspiring start from the touchline.

His season started with a baptism of fire after coming on as a substitute with ten minutes to go in the Merseyside derby and the Reds battling for a meaningful breakthrough at Goodison Park.

He was quickly back in Jurgen Klopp’s plans, netting a remarkable hat-trick in just 17 minutes at Rangers.

Then it got harder for both the team and the individual. Just a week after Luis Diaz suffered a horrific knee ligament injury that kept him out until March, Jota injured himself in the dying moments of a huge 1-0 win at home against Man City.

A calf problem meant Liverpool’s attacking options dwindled in the blink of an eye as they moved further and further away from the frontrunners.

Everton were once again opponents of Jota’s return from injury as he came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win over the neighbours.

Confidence was low after three out of four league defeats, but as the Portuguese striker regained his fitness and form, Liverpool were showing signs of recovery.

A run of four league wins from five clean sheets was capped by a historic 7-0 win over Man United at Anfield. His ability to play down the left of a front three and also be center forward gives him a key edge in what has become a competitive side of the pitch in the Liverpool team.

Jota got involved and showed signs of improvement with every performance, but all the while she had an overly persistent monkey on her back.

Liverpool’s number 20 hadn’t scored since a 2-2 draw against Manchester City in April 2022, something he later admitted was gnawing at him despite a number of extenuating circumstances.

What does this say about London buses?
After a wait of 372 days, Jota’s breakthrough finally came at Elland Road, where she found the net twice in the space of 20 minutes during a 6-1 hammer over Leeds.

It’s exactly what the doctor ordered and the striker has scored five goals in four games to remind himself like everyone else of what he is still capable of.

Klopp has remained loyal to Jota throughout his struggles in front of goal, knowing full well how deadly the man can be when on the move.

It would have been easy to allow him to slip down the pecking order as Darwin Nunez did towards the end of the campaign, but the boss knew his instincts hadn’t let him down.

Despite not being part of the starting XI, the young Portuguese has proven to be a valuable option as a substitute.

He was never a spare in the 2022/23 season and the three assists at Ibrox showed the impact he can have even in a short space of time. Liverpool have great wealth up front thanks to high-profile signings in each of the last three transfer windows.

But Jota’s involvement in every Premier League match since returning from his calf injury shows that minutes are always available when you’re as clinical as he is.

There are strong arguments that despite his drought, Jota is actually the club’s best finisher.

If you asked the coach who would like to have a big shot at a decisive moment, few eyebrows would be raised if that were his answer.

When Lucas Moura carelessly handed the ball to the 26-year-old seconds after Richarlison headed it equalizing for Tottenham in added time, everyone in the stadium except Jota lost their wits as he calmly swept the ball past Fraser Forster.

It wasn’t the result of a player who had just gone more than a year without scoring – it was the reassurance of a striker who knows he still belongs.

The goal was by no means a confirmation that Jota was at his best, but it was a pivotal moment in a searing sprint to the finish that many would not have capitalized on.

Klopp has Diaz, Nunez, Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo to call up next season, but his unrelenting faith in Jota in difficult times suggests it will only be availability rather than ability that will keep him away from the team in 2023 /24.

As he enters his prime, he will be hoping for a much-needed medical certificate if he is to establish himself as a first-choice with the wealth of attacking talent the Reds now have.

Another 12 crucial months await. Highlight: A winning last gasp for the Kop after Tottenham fell three goals behind to level the scoreline.
Worst moment:

He missed a glorious opportunity to crack his duck during Newcastle’s 2-0 away win.

Role in next season: Rotating with Diaz, Gakpo and Nunez in top three.