Diogo Jota might have come to Liverpool’s rescue sporadically in 2024/25, however harm issues once more outlined his marketing campaign and his peak could also be up to now.
This time final 12 months, This Is Anfield assessed Jota’s 2023/24 season, stressing the necessity for him to “construct a powerful basis this summer season and into pre-season,” relating to his health.
It was felt that confidence in his physique was wanted, with Liverpool needing to know they will depend on Jota to be extra obtainable than not in 2024/25.
A match Jota was the Reds’ most suitable option to steer the road going into the brand new marketing campaign, however as soon as once more, what transpired was irritating on a person degree.
Diogo Jota, 2024/25
Began: 22 (All competitions)
On in its place: 15
Unused sub: 3
Objectives: 9
Assists: 3
Total Season Score: 6
Promising moments however extra accidents
The truth that Arne Slot picked Jota in his first beginning lineup as Liverpool head coach could have been a lift to the participant, who repaid the Dutchman’s religion in him.
He opened the scoring in a tough opening sport at Ipswich, then assisted Luis Diaz at residence to Brentford the next week.
Jota netted twice in a League Cup trouncing of West Ham and scored the one purpose away to Crystal Palace in a troublesome lunchtime project, justifying the minutes he was getting. There was additionally a exact cross at Wolves that allowed Ibrahima Konate to energy residence a header.
Then the harm curse struck once more.
Jota’s courageous type of play could make him extra liable to being an harm sufferer, and that’s precisely what occurred towards Chelsea in October.
The 28-year-old suffered a rib subject after being landed on awkwardly, denying Slot his first-choice ahead for 2 of the busiest months of the season.
The No.20 return at Anfield towards Fulham earlier than Christmas and rescued a degree for 10-man Liverpool towards the Cottagers, ending ruthlessly.
A vital equaliser at Nottingham Forest was one other key contribution, however they quickly started to dry up.
The Portugal worldwide’s season was solely downhill from that header on the Metropolis Floor onwards.
A shadow of his former self
Jota has all the time been a streaky participant, typically occurring scoring runs or barren spells and having the potential to float out of video games.
The issue is that when he isn’t scoring, how far more does he provide?
That more and more turned the case as Liverpool’s season wore on, with Slot’s assault being carried by Mohamed Salah, with Diaz and Cody Gakpo additionally contributing positively.
Such was Jota’s lack of affect, and Darwin Nunez‘s for that matter, Diaz was used centrally which was a damning indictment.
Even when he scored a trademark winner at residence to Everton, he endured a poor evening total and it was his solely league purpose after January 14.
Jota missed the second-most massive probabilities for Liverpool within the league in 2024/25 (14), per FotMoband solely created three massive probabilities for teammates.
Not solely that, however he hit the goal with solely 25.5 p.c of his photographs – worse than Nunez (38.2%), Gakpo (38.6%), Federico Chiesa (40%), Salah (41.3%) and Diaz (42.3%).
It might be reckless to jot down Jota off fully, nevertheless it appears to be like like accidents have lastly caught up with him and he can now not be Liverpool’s go-to striker.
Time for Liverpool to promote Diogo Jota?
Opinion could also be break up on Jota’s future at Liverpool this summer season, not least due to his lack of ability to remain match for lengthy intervals.
Now 28 years outdated and never the identical pressure as up to now, the Reds could also be contemplating transferring him on together with his present deal expiring in two years.
The extra his contract ticks down, the extra his valuation drops, however there may be additionally the Nunez state of affairs to take care of.
Promoting each centre forwards with out replacements already in place might be dangerous, so retaining Jota as a backup possibility would have its deserves over the Uruguayan.
There’s a slim risk that his kind merely dipped within the spring and that he nonetheless can return to one thing near his finest, however Liverpool should contemplate accepting a proposal if it arrives.
A completely match Jota can nonetheless be a weapon from the bench, however he doesn’t really feel like a dependable possibility now.
At the perfect, he must be given a squad function transferring ahead with a notable improve introduced in, whether or not or not it’s Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres or one other of the quite a few obtainable centre forwards.
The opposite query is, would anybody be prepared to pay the cash Liverpool would need for a participant who began 22, 19 and 15 instances in his final three seasons?
Greatest second: Scoring the one purpose at residence to Everton.
Worst second: One purpose in his closing 18 appearances of the season.
Position subsequent season: A backup No.9 if he’s not offered.
