Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has revealed that there is no existing rivalry between attacking counter-parts Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Alisson Becker of Liverpool gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on October 31, 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 Jon Super – Pool/Getty Images)
Jota, 23, recently recorded his first hat-trick for the Reds following a 5-0 Champions League win against Atalanta on Tuesday evening.
The £41 million addition from Wolves was selected ahead of Firmino in the starting XI as Liverpool maintained their 100 per cent start in Europe.
Jota has been a revelation for the Premier League champions this season, scoring six goals in his last four games as calls begin to intensify for the Portugal international to start in Liverpool’s upcoming clash with title rivals Manchester City.
Such suggestions could lead to Firmino – who earns £180,000-a-week according to Spotrac – being dropped in a Premier League match for the first time this season with the Brazilian scoring just two goals for the club in his previous 26 matches.
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Despite the difference in form between Jota and Firmino, Alisson insists Firmino is still just as important as ever and maintains he will continue to have a huge impact for Liverpool.
Speaking in an interview with Esporte Interativo, he said: “We keep the battles within our team.
“The importance of Firmino I don’t even need to talk about.
“Everything he’s done for the club and everything he’s been doing. He’s a very supportive player, works for the team, isn’t individualistic at all.
“He’s helped us a lot so far. So we need everyone for our goals going forward.”
Liverpool’s Portuguese striker Diogo Jota celebrates at the end of the UEFA Champions league football match Atalanta Bergamo vs Liverpool, on November 3, 2020 at the Atalanta stadium in Bergamo. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)
What RTK has to say
Despite Alisson playing down any notions of a rivalry developing inside the Anfield camp, Jota has surely made it clear to Klopp that he is a certain starter against Manchester City on Sunday. Not just because of his goals, but his movement, speed and link-up was excellent against one of the continent’s most feared attacking outlets.
Firmino certainly offers enormous creativity in the final third but even he would be the first to admit he has been off the pace this season. When you consider the goal output in recent games, Jota offers too great a threat for the Liverpool boss to ignore. He certainly deserves to maintain his place against City on Sunday.
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