Liverpool

Liverpool: Simon Hughes makes big claim on Diogo Jota and his importance to the team

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Image for Liverpool: Simon Hughes makes big claim on Diogo Jota and his importance to the team

Simon Hughes has claimed that Liverpool would be in a much better position than they currently are if Diogo Jota was available more throughout the season.

The summer signing from Wolves was back on the scoresheet on Monday against his former side, showing a glimpse of what Liverpool had been missing whilst he was out for a long time with a knee injury.

The 24-year-old, valued at £36m on Transfermarkt, got off to a flying start after his move to Anfield with 9 goals in 17 games, including a hat-trick in the Champions League against Atalanta.

And speaking on the latest edition of The Red Agenda podcast, Hughes claimed that his absence has played a big part in how Liverpool’s season has gone, before going on to say that he thinks Jota can take on the role of any of Liverpool’s famed front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane.

He said: “If he didn’t get injured, I think it’s safe to say we would have been in a healthier position than they are now.

“He, for me, is a player now that is in line with the other three – he could play in any of the other three players’ positions in attack.”

Do you think Jota can become as good as Mane?

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YES

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NO

TIF Thoughts on Simon Hughes’ comments regarding Diogo Jota’s importance to the club…

Liverpool certainly struggled for goals in recent months, leading to them plummeting down the table after some rather shocking results and conceding the title race without much of a whimper. If Jota would have kept up that rate of goals, then it certainly is possible to believe that things could have looked a whole lot different for Jürgen Klopp’s men.

But now it’s time for Liverpool to take what they’ve learned from his absence and make sure that things don’t continue on that path. There’s still a chance to rescue this season by winning the Champions League, and if he can help them in that, then it’s imperative Klopp gives him every chance to help to make up for lost time.

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Freelance sports journalist & broadcaster.