Diogo Jota should replace the out-of-sorts Roberto Firmino in the Liverpool FC starting lineup, believes former Red Jamie Carragher.
Jota had been in fine form for his new colours since signing for the Merseysiders last summer in a big-money move and his goalscoring brilliance was rather cruelly cut short by an extended period on the sidelines owing to a knee problem.
Over the course of his treatment, Jurgen Klopp’s men have faltered rather devastatingly in their attempts to retain the top-flight crown and with Liverpool FC’s dwindling fortunes in front of the goal being well documented of late, Carragher has urged Jota’s restoration in the Reds first-choice plans at the expense of Firmino.
“Yes, I mean I have been calling for [Jota to start head of Firmino] that a while. I think Firmino has been fortunate that Jota has been out for so long because I think he was on the verge of breaking that front three up, really,” Carragher told CBS Sports.
“It’s just interesting that he went central tonight. I think, at the weekend, it was Salah who went through the middle and Jota was in a wide position,
“But Jota is a bigger goal threat, right at this moment. We know Firmino brings other things.
“But to just think that Liverpool need to get as many goalscorers as possible on the pitch because the midfield players don’t score, the fullbacks create and they have lost Van Dijk. Jota needs to be on that pitch.”
Firmino has missed the last two outings for the Reds due to an undisclosed injury issue and Jota’s return from injury has meant the latter being fielded upfront with Sadio Mane and Mohammad Salah.
The 23-year-old Portugal international was a critical presence for Klopp’s men last time around in the win over RB Leipzig, setting up Salah for the opening goal of the night at the Puskas Arena as Liverpool FC emerged comfortable victors.
