LIVERPOOL: KUYT IN JOTA ADMIRATION

Dirk Kuyt is a big fan of Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota and what he has achieved at the club since joining at the start of last season. Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool spent around €44.70m to sign Portugal international Jota from fellow Premier League team Wolverhampton Wanderers, but it has been money well spent for the Reds.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FJk0FfhXoAMdITd.jpg

Jota was not a prolific goalscorer during his time at Wolves and a lot of people including Liverpool fans had reservations about his transfer. He has been able to put those doubts to bed with an attacking return of 27 goals and three assists in 58 games in all competitions. Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has been impressed with the Portuguese player.

In his column on the Liverpool website at the end of last month, Dirk Kuyt praised Jota for his efficiency in front of goal even when he doesn’t play in his preferred centre forward position. According to him, he has made himself a regular source of goals at the club irrespective of his position in the Liverpool attack.

Liverpool fans feared the worst when star players Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane left the club to represent their respective countries at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon, but Jota has been able to step up to score crucial goals for the club especially in the Carabao Cup.

Jota was the star of the tie as Liverpool saw off North London club Arsenal in the semi-finals to book a final meeting with Chelsea at the end of this month.

In the first leg at Anfield, Jota was brought down by Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka on 24 minutes while through on goal and was given a red card as the Gunners finished their game with ten men. Despite the numerical advantage, Liverpool could only play a goalless draw with Arsenal. In the second leg, Jota stepped up with two goals either side of the interval to seal a 2-0 win in the second leg and a 2-0 aggregate win for his team.