Diogo Jota made his full Premier League debut for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s team recorded a vital 2-1 victory against Sheffield United on Saturday night.
Jota, 23, was the match-winner after his headed effort saw the Reds overturn a one-goal deficit after they fell behind early on due to another contentious and controversial VAR decision to award the visitors a penalty.
The knocking on the door had become too loud for Klopp to ignore and finally Jota was given his chance to shine.
Jota, surprisingly started on the right of a 4-2-3-1 system and to begin with, was too often on the periphery, hesitant and too easily ushered down ineffective areas of the pitch.
Liverpool’s Portuguese striker Diogo Jota (3L) celebrates scoring their second goal with Liverpool’s English midfielder Jordan Henderson (2R) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sheffield United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 24, 2020. (Photo by Stu Forster / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by STU FORSTER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Slowly but surely, Jota got himself into the game. It took some time, but Liverpool eventually began to flex their muscles with Jota warming to his task down the right.
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Any early disappointment he may have felt to begin with were quickly ushered with the impact he made, particularly in the second half. His message after the game showed he was in good spirits…
Very hard one 💪 We keep on going ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/K4d1VzhtUU
— Diogo Jota (@DiogoJota18) October 24, 2020
Jota was one of several Liverpool stars to comment on social media after the 2-1 victory.
The returning Alisson Becker also sent a message out, expressing his satisfaction to be back with his teammates sooner than expected after overcoming a shoulder injury that had previously seen him out of action for three weeks.
“But now, this is what the Lord say, he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 pic.twitter.com/veuVW1wRIx— Alisson Becker (@Alissonbecker) October 24, 2020
Teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson also posted on Twitter after the victory with the latter making his 100th Premier League appearance as a Liverpool player.
A good Saturday night 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/Exa9vStvgk
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) October 24, 2020
Honoured to have made my 100th @premierleague appearance for this brilliant football club! Always made better with a win! Hard fought victory tonight! pic.twitter.com/unjP7deT6i
— Andy Robertson (@andrewrobertso5) October 24, 2020
Results and performances such as this to overcome setback after setback is testament to the mental resilience Klopp has successfully installed into his players.
The fact Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League home games when conceding the first goal (W10 D3), winning each of the last nine in a row is testament to that particular notion.
Next up for the Reds is a return to Champions League duties with FC Midtjylland awaiting on Tuesday night before Liverpool return to domestic action against West Ham next Saturday at Anfield.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: (THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Diogo Jota of Liverpool scores the second goal and seels it for Liverpool and celebratesduring the Premier League match between Liverpool and Sheffield United at Anfield on October 24, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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