‘Future in his feet’, ‘really happy with him’: Liverpool coach blown away by Reds 23-year-old

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Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has waxed lyrical about Reds newcomer Diogo Jota, saying he’s “like a pressing monster” and will “fit in straight away” in the line-up.

On Saturday, Liverpool announced Jota’s arrival to Anfield, BBC Sport reporting the 23-year-old had penned a five-year deal following his £41million switch from Wolves.

Jota had been a crucial player for Wolves since his initial loan switch from Atletico Madrid in 2017, made permanent for 14million Euros (£12.7million) the following year.

He left Molineux having made 131 competitive appearances in the old gold, registering 44 goals and 19 assists.

“Diogo, his technical level is the same as our front three,” Lijnders, who was conducting media duties instead of Jurgen Klopp ahead of the League Cup trip to Lincoln, told Sky Sports.

“He has future in his feet. He will have a great pathway inside our club. He is like a pressing monster so he will fit in straight away.”

Lijnders is understood to have been influential in Liverpool’s decision to pursue a move for Jota, as reported by the outlet.

“I know him since he was very young,” he added. “In Portugal they say what a great signing Liverpool have made because they know exactly how he is and what kind of potential he still has.

“We are really happy with him and all the things we heard [about him] are true. He is very professional, very dedicated, passionate and brave player.”

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Jota has shown he is one of the Premier League’s brightest talents and, at just 23 years old, the Portugal international is only just getting started for club and country.

With great pace, vision and ability to carry the ball and commit defenders, not to mention superb passing and shooting skills, Liverpool have got their hands on a real gem.