There is a new DJ in town, enter Diogo Jota!
4 games in a row, 6 goals... that is our new guy Diogo Jota's form right now. After bagging 3 goals in 3 consecutive games earlier last week, he just bagged his first Euro / UCL Hat Trick in a Reds Shirt. Such is his dominance in the match played away against Atalanta earlier today. Interesting enough this is his third hat trick in his career.
To be perfectly honest, I almost completely forgot how good this young Portugese was, especially in his time at Wolves. And this was a signing that we almost completely didn't expect as we have been thinking over people like Kylian Mbappe, Adama Traore, Ismal Sarr, etc.
But in came Diogo Jota, 10 games in, and 7 goals to his credit. All credit to him, he has only started 2 of these games and now he is in the form of his life.
THE MATCH
Klopp entered a match with a majority of our key guys returning from injury Alisson (Earlier than expected), Kostas Tsimikas, but still doesn't take away the fact that we are still without Virgil Van Dijk which I still can't get over Pickford, (I wish he dies to be honest because that was beyond disgusting), Oxlade Chamberlain, Fabinho, Thiago. But it does give some valuable minutes to some new members of the squad while giving an earlier break for some key guys for the Man City Match.
Klopp entered a match with a majority of our key guys returning from injury Alisson (Earlier than expected), Kostas Tsimikas, but still doesn't take away the fact that we are still without Virgil Van Dijk which I still can't get over Pickford, (I wish he dies to be honest because that was beyond disgusting), Oxlade Chamberlain, Fabinho, Thiago. But it does give some valuable minutes to some new members of the squad while giving an earlier break for some key guys for the Man City Match.
GK Alisson
RB Trent Alexander Arnold (1 Assist -> Diogo Jota Goal 16", Subbed by Neco Williams 82")
CB Rhys Williams
CB Joe Gomez (1 Assist -> Diogo Jota Goal 33")
LB Andy Robertson (Subbed by Naby Keita)
CM Henderson (Subbed by James Milner)
RM Curtis Jones (1 Assist to Salah Goal 47")
RM Curtis Jones (1 Assist to Salah Goal 47")
LM Wijnaldum (Subbed by Kostas Tsimikas)
RW Mo Salah (1 Goal 47", 1 Assist to Mane Goal 49")
LW Sadio Mane (1 Goal 49", 1 Assist to Diogo Jota Goal 54")
ST Diogo Jota (3 Goals 16", 33", 54", Subbed by Firmino 65")
Just by looking at the front 3, just look at em'. All 3 on target!
Diogo Jota instead of his usual left winger side started down center playing a more traditional striker but often playing switcheroo with Mane and Salah's wing cause' in the Atalanta game, he scored from both the left, right and the center. And that's the advantage of being ambidextrous with both feet, you can cut in from either wing to support your wingers. And interestingly, he's supposed to be stronger with his right foot, yet in his career, he has made more shots with his left than his right.
The new thrilling 3 proved so devastating and Mo and Mane both feeding to each other. And 2 of our youngsters of Curtis Jones and Rhys Williams proved they can run the show when needed while the others of the backline provided additional artillery support with both Gomez and TAA also assisting for the goals.
It was a combination of pure genius along with classic Liverpool counterattacks, with the 2 of the 3 2nd half goals all breakaways from goal to goal.
Quite a statement match to prepare for Manchester City this weekend. And should Jota keep his place in the starting lineup? Hell, yes. That is the difference of having someone very young and threatening and with eye on Goal instead of Firmino. Still you can't overlook Firmino and you can still play both in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Jota as the main traditional striker with Firmino as Attacking Midfield.
SOME INTERESTING STATS AND RECORDS
Fewest Games to 7 Goals in all campaigns since 2000
10 apps DIOGO JOTA
12 apps Fernando Torres
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| Mark of an Elite Player - Diogo Jota |
13 apps Mo Salah
Diogo Jota also became the fifth LFC player to bag a UEFA Champions League Hat Trick
Starting with:
2002 Michael Owen
2002 Michael Owen
2007 Yossi Benayoun
2017 Philippe Coutinho
2018 Sadio Mane
2020 Diogo Jota
DIOGO JOTA Match Stats and these are the most amongst the players of the match
3 Goals
3 Goals
11 Total Duels
4 Shots on Target
2 Fouls won
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| Took the on-the-job training well Rising to First Team Rhys Williams |
4 Shots on Goal
RHYS WILLIAMS
Another player to credit and a meteoric rising star is Rhys! From a non-league football this year to straight into the deep end. But as you all know that this decision has been forced which is why he started. Couple of cameos at first but for cup match against Arsenal and now the UCL campaign he has been playing a major role in keeping goals out ever since he stepped up and finally has his first start and played the full 90 minutes.
92% Pass Accuracy
2 Tackles (Both Successful)
3 Clearances
1 Clean Sheet
Career all 3 UCL Apps, all 3 Clean Sheets
And let is sink in... he's only 19 and nowhere experienced at all. But you can just pop him in there and he just looks like he belongs there easily and plays like an Elite. Today was no exception, read the game brilliantly. Sure he may not have some good few touches, but he's otherwise composed and calm, the basics you want in a center back. Give him some time, and Rhys will get there. You can say that he's our equivalent or Mathis De Ligt.
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