‘Why not?’: Jamie Carragher backs Diogo Jota to replace Roberto Firmino at Liverpool

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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has backed Diogo Jota to replace Roberto Firmino in the Reds starting XI before long.

Firmino has struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis, although he is widely-regarded as a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s system, with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane flanking him.

However, Jota once again came off the bench to score the winning goal against West Ham yesterday, following on from doing similar against Sheffield United last weekend.

And Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports following the game, believes Firmino may well now be looking over his shoulder.

“I would imagine pretty quickly he will be challenging Firmino for a starting spot. Why not? He’s got goals, he got a goal in what every three games at Wolves. And now he’s in a better team so that should improve. I like him a lot, 23-years-old, he can only do better.”

Jota has made an immediate impression since sealing a suprise move from Wolves in the summer. His goals, direct play, and pace in behind have given Klopp a completely different option.

However, while Carragher believes there’s a decision to make, he stopped short of criticising Firmino.

“I don’t think anyone’s calling for Firmino to be dropped as such but Bobby Firmino is not a huge goal threat. At times he’s in the team for different aspects of his game and I think that’s his pressing, supplementing the wide players but you still want goals from him and assists.”

Making a case – TBR View

Jota can’t really do much more than he is doing at the moment. Blistering impacts on games are making sure Liverpool remain in the title hunt so he’s already proving his worth.

If he carries on as is, there’s simply no way that Jurgen Klopp can ignore Jota from his starting XI.