Pep Lijnders praises Liverpool’s man of the moment Diogo Jota

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Liverpool’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders has described Diogo Jota as having ‘fire in each vein’, ahead of the Reds’ Champions League clash with Ajax.

Jurgen Klopp’s side need just one point from the game in order to seal qualification to the last 16, and are hoping to bounce back from the shock defeat to Atalanta last week.

Winger Jota could well start, having been in tremendous form for his new club this season.

The 23-year-old has scored nine goals since his £45 million transfer (BBC Sport), and Lijnders has been speaking about the decision to move for him.

He told the club’s matchday programme (quoted by the ECHO): “Diogo comes from a good tactical culture that makes it more easy, but we can never forget that it still takes time for the body to adapt. That’s why we are careful – he is adapting to a new style and new ideas. But first and foremost, if you come into a great team, things become easier most of the time.

“He has these natural abilities that were already very important to our game idea. This is what made us want him so much.

“When a new player comes, it’s always how the player adapts to the team, its mentality, and how the team understands the player. But you can see that he has fire in each vein when he plays, so the adaptation process has been very natural.”

TBR’s View – Jota transfer looks a masterstroke

£90,000-a-week Jota’s (Spotrac) start at Liverpool has been nothing short of amazing.

One or two eyebrows were raised when his transfer went through, but he is another example of some solid Reds business.

He didn’t come cheap like some others have, but that natural ability is shining through, and the consistency he probably lacked a bit at Wolves seems to be there.