Michael Owen discusses Liverpool star Diogo Jota after goal in draw v Tottenham

Add as preferred source on Google

Michael Owen has told Premier League Productions that while Diogo Jota’s movement is not great, he is excellent in the air for someone of his size. The Liverpool star scored another header against Tottenham on Sunday.

Jota, 25, has been in excellent for Liverpool this season – racking up 11 goals in 21 appearances for the Reds. That is, despite only completing 90 minutes on four occasions. 10 of his goals have come in 17 league games.

His perfectly-placed header even saw Hugo Lloris decide not to dive to save the ball on Sunday evening. While it was controversial due to Mo Salah’s potential handball, it was a beautifully-timed header from Jota.

The 22-time Portugal international looks as if he is getting better with every minute he plays for Jurgen Klopp’s side. So much so, that with all attackers fit, Jota probably starts ahead of Roberto Firmino in the front three.

Speaking after the 2-2 draw, which was packed with incident and drama, Liverpool legend Owen commented on Jota. He said that the ex-Wolves man lacks movement, but makes up for it with his aerial ability.

“Phenomenal [in the air]. For someone so small, he times it well, he heads it well. He doesn’t do much in terms of his movement, but he is in a nice little pocket of space [for his goal],” Owen told PLP.

Owen on Jota: Liverpool star is now a bargain at £40m, masterstroke

At Wolves, Jota scored 44 goals in 131 games. 17 of those goals came in the Championship. So, hardly the most eye-catching of stats. But what Jurgen Klopp has recognised, is how Jota would fit his Liverpool machine.

His work rate, his hold-up play, his ruthlessness, his versatility in the final third. Jota is ideal and seeing past his goals to realise he would fit at Anfield. £40million (Mirror) is now proving to be a bargain and Klopp deserves praise for that.