Martin Keown compares Diogo Jota to Liverpool legend David Fairclough

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Former Arsenal defender and now pundit, Martin Keown, has compared the impact of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota to that of Anfield cult hero, David Fairclough.

Fairclough was well known in his day for being the original ‘supersub’, rarely starting for the Reds but always seeming to contribute off the bench.

Jota has started to develop a similar reputation. He’s scored winning goals against West Ham and Sheffield United in recent weeks, while he continued his fine form with a goal in Europe this week too.

And Keown, writing for his column in the Daily Mail, believes Jota could be a similar player for Liverpool.

“I remember in my younger years watching David Fairclough for Liverpool, or ‘Supersub’ as he became known. When he was brought off the bench, you’d believe he was going to score. He was like an ace up their sleeve. 

“Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in the summer knowing he would not walk into this team. Jurgen Klopp’s front three seemed set in stone. But it is to Jota’s credit that he is now pushing for a place.”

Jota completed something of a surprise move to Merseyside over the summer and has had an instant impact. There are calls in some quarters for him to replace Roberto Firmino full-time, although Jurgen Klopp continues to back the Brazilian.

A bit early, but a fair comparison – TBR View

Fairclough did this over years and developed a reputation for doing so. Jota, meanwhile, is early into his Liverpool career and will probably end up being a regular before long.

But Keown’s comments make sense, in terms of impact on the team. There’s nothing better for a manager than having a player in your ranks who can more or less produce the goods on command off the bench.

Jota, then, is a fine signing for the Reds.