Jota ‘incredible’ when he is ‘angry’ – Liverpool coach،
Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders says striker Diogo Jota, whose form in front of goal is helping the team cope with the absence of Mohamed Salah, is “incredible” when he is “d 'angry mood'.
The 27-year-old has scored two goals and registered two assists since Salah left to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in early January.
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Lijnders compared Jota's ability to step up in Salah's absence to that of former Liverpool strikers Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino, the three of whom combined to form one of the most fearsome attacking trios in Liverpool's history. the Premier League.
“Jota, I never judge only on goals, but it is a sign of the team and the character,” Lijnders said. When Jota is in an angry mood when he wants to show off against the world, he can do amazing things.
“We have to put him in that mood as often as possible. You can never count on him. [on just a few]. If Mo [Salah] well done, Sadio [Mané] I didn't do it and then Bobby [Firmino] did so while the other two did not. So it's about being confident. »
Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez has also had some good performances in recent weeks, scoring a brace against Bournemouth on Sunday.
“Darwin too. It's the sign of a good team. A sign of the character and ambition of the players we have. When Jota is in an angry mood he can be dangerous. We have to put him in that mood as often as possible.”
Jurgen Klopp's assistant also spoke about Curtis Jones' chances of making Gareth Southgate's next England squad following the 22-year-old's impressive performances at the heart of Liverpool's midfield.
“Curtis Jones for England? A no-brainer. You have eyes, right? You [Jones] are one of the most decisive players for the team that is at the top [of the Premier League table]” said Lijnders.
“A player who sets the tone with and without the ball and who is always present. A few small problems with a lot of matches but he is young and behaves like a senior.”
Lijnders also confirmed that right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was set to return to the team against Norwich City on January 28, and revealed that left-back Andy Robertson would be in the squad for the second leg of the Carabao Cup against Fulham on January 28. Wednesday after recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered while playing for Scotland against Spain in October.
“Trent is now two weeks away [out]team training by the end of the week, hopefully [he will] get ready for the FA Cup, Dominik [Szoboszlai] will be ready for the FA Cup if all goes well.
“Robertson has 13 weeks out, he can train with the team and make contact, it's really cool. He's establishing himself in the team, which is good because he's one of our captains . We're talking about Robbo, we have to talk about Joe Gomez, what he's doing this season… Probably our most consistent player. I'm really happy for him and it shows so much about our team.”
