Diogo Jota played just 30 minutes for Liverpool during his Champions League debut in Amsterdam.
It was enough for him to make an impact and show what he is all about, in the Reds’ inaugural European bout of the campaign.
Jota, 23, was introduced in a triple substitution that saw the Portugal international brought on alongside Takumi Minamino and Xherdan Shaqiri for Liverpool’s pedigreed front-three on the hour mark.
When he got the ball out wide, Jota whipped in a fantastic cross with his left foot to spot the run of Georginio Wijnaldum who just needed a tidier finish to beat Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana.
Jota was intelligent in his build-up play and was smart in possession particularly in the closing stages to help grind out a vital victory for his team.
His ability on the ball is second to none and the directness of his runs make him a daunting player to handle for opposition players. Despite only featuring for half-an-hour, Jota managed to complete three dribbles in that period – more than any other Liverpool player managed all game.
AMSTERDAM – (lr) Noussair Mazraoui of Ajax, Diogo Jota or Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League match in group D between Ajax Amsterdam and Liverpool FC at the Johan Cruijff Arena on October 21, 2020 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. ANP MAURICE VAN STEEN (Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images)
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For supporters who remember the dreary days of Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini being brought off the bench to impact the game, it now seems like a distant memory.
Jota did not get on the scoresheet but he could have had two assists after combining brilliantly with Wijnaldum in the closing stages of the match and then Minamino minutes later.
Liverpool paid £41 million to sign Jota from Wolverhampton Wanderers and given the early signs coupled by the player’s age, it already looks a shrewd acquisition from sporting director Michael Edwards.
This was a very competent debut in club football’s biggest competition from Jota and it will not be a surprise to see him start at the weekend against Sheffield United.
Considering it was his first Champions League appearance and the fact he had just 30 minutes to impress, this could hardly have gone any better for Liverpool’s latest attacking addition.
Reaction
Here is a look at how Liverpool fans reacted to Jota’s performance…
I Hope we start Jota against Sheffield ,play Salah in the middle with Mane on the right. #LFC
— Salil Gokarn (@thescousefoodie) October 21, 2020
Jota has the qualities and deserves the chance more I think
— Ritson (@RitsonLFC) October 21, 2020
Jota must start, stick Sadio up top.
— BelfastKopite196 (@BelfastKop196) October 21, 2020
Jota is much better than firmino
— Andrew Cowan (@AndrewCowan50) October 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/LFCComps/status/1319040131412709379
And definitely on board the Jota hype train…could turn out to be very good signing 🙌🏻 Midfield was poor until Henderson came on, what he gives Liverpool can't be understated! #LFC #AJXLIV
— Murph-YNWA (@Murph_LFC) October 21, 2020
Wanna see Diogo Jota start.. the fella deserves it!! #LFC
— Gareth (@garethcmitchell) October 21, 2020
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