Liverpool’s next Premier League test sees them take on Southampton at home in their latest attempt at closing the gap between them and Chelsea at the top of the table.
On the chalkboard
In terms of who could be selected to be in the starting XI to take on the Saints, one player who did not feature in the 2-0 win over FC Porto in midweek but should be in the team to start tomorrow is Diogo Jota, who is currently earning a weekly wage of just over £90k-per-week according to Spotrac.
His previous appearance for the Reds came during the 4-0 win over Arsenal in the Premier League last week, where he found the net and earned an overall match rating of 7/10 from the Liverpool Echo, who said that he “took his goal superbly” and that his “clever flick helped set up the third” goal on the day.
In addition to his performance against Arsenal, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, has proven throughout the season just what a dangerous attacking threat he can be for Liverpool.
The Portugal international, who has been described as a “pressing monster” by Pep Lijnders, has racked up an average of 2.2 shots and 1.5 key passes per game in the league, showing why he would be a frightening prospect and a real danger to Southampton’s defence.
Would you start Jota against Southampton?
Yes
No
In terms of who Jota could replace in the team to take on Southampton after sitting out the Porto game, it seems likely that Klopp could take Takumi Minamino out rather than Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah, especially since the Japan forward failed to impress in midweek by having no shots at goal or making any key passes.
Also, with Southampton only conceding three more goals than Liverpool in the league so far this season and Klopp saying in his latest press conference that his side will “have to be creative to break them down,” it would make sense for Jota to start, as his attacking and creative talents could be the key to securing another win for the Reds.
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