TalkSPORT pundit Ray Parlour has named Liverpool star Diogo Jota ahead of Erling Haaland in his picks for the three best players in world football.
The former Arsenal man made the astonishing claim during this morning’s breakfast show.
Jota has been in fine form during the 2021/22 campaign. He has scored 17 goals and claimed three assists, with Liverpool in contention for the Premier League title.
The 25-year-old has stepped up in the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who both spent the last month playing at the AFCON in Cameroon.
Haaland is some way ahead of Jota for goals this season. The Norwegian has fired 23 times and claimed six assists, although he is currently injured.
Parlour was part of the Arsenal invincible team under Arsene Wenger and he’s named the Liverpool star as a surprise pick in his top three best players in the world.
He told TalkSPORT: “What he’s done since Salah and Mane have been away has been unbelievable. He’s the best number nine (in the world) at the moment.
“I like his work rate, the way he adapts himself every game, the goals he scored. I like everything about him. What a signing he’s been.”
Class: Jota is unsung Liverpool hero
Some eyebrows were raised when Liverpool chose to sign Jota from Wolves for £41 million. His record at Wolves hardly jumped off the page and the jury was out.
He is the prime example of a player who has shone playing among better players and he’s benefited from a sprinkling of Jurgen Klopp’s magic.
Jota has scored 30 times for Liverpool in 61 appearances and this season he’s really started to kick on.
Whether he’s quite at the same level as Haaland, remains to be seen.
The Dortmund man is four years younger and has remarkably scored 80 goals in 79 games for the Bundesliga giants.
Right now, Jota is playing out of his skin and with Haaland currently injured, perhaps Parlour has a point.
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