Jamie Carragher thinks that Diogo Jota will start on the bench for Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal tomorrow evening.
Carragher was asked by Gary Neville what Liverpool’s front three for the game will be during an Instagram Live post from Neville (2mins 40secs).
“Salah. Jota will be on the bench, I think he’s on the bench at the moment,” said Carragher. “Mane will be through the middle and Diaz has that slot on the left.”
Explaining his choice, the former Liverpool defender said he thinks that Jota’s recent form doesn’t warrant him to start.
The 25-year-old hasn’t been quite as sharp since picking up an injury during the Champions League game against Inter Milan in Italy. As a result, Carragher thinks he’ll have to get used to spot on the bench for the time being.
“Jota has been unfortunate. He got a whack at Inter Milan and he came off and he’s never quite been the same since. He’ll get back in but he’ll have to get used to not playing every game now,” said the pundit.
Jota struggling for form
It’s a fair analysis from Carra – Jota hasn’t been at his best since returning from injury. In fact, the Portuguese attacker has now gone seven games without finding the net.
When you’ve set the kind of standards that Jota has this season, that is a poor return. However there are some mitigating factors, the number 20 only started three of those games.
Other are in better goalscoring form for Liverpool, that’s for sure. Both Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz, direct competitors for Jota’s position, have scored in recent games. Mane in particular is looking sharp with four goals in seven games.
Perfect timing for favourite opposition
However, two things might alter Jurgen Klopp’s thinking for this one.
Firstly, Mohamed Salah wasn’t pictured in training for Liverpool yesterday. After having to be substituted during Saturday’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion, that doesn’t look good for his chances of playing tomorrow.
Roberto Firmino has returned to the squad but may be rusty having not played for over a month. That could mean that Klopp has no option to play Jota.
Secondly, Jota has a brilliant record for Liverpool against Arsenal. This season alone, the forward has three goals in four games against them.
Including last campaign, Jota has managed six in six against the Gunners. Unsurprisingly, he has scored more goals against Mikel Arteta’s team than against anyone else for Liverpool.
He also managed one in four games against them during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
With all this in mind, tomorrow’s game looks to come at a perfect time for the Portugal international. He couldn’t ask for a better game in which to rediscover the form that has seen his score 17 goals this season.
After Manchester City dropped points to Crystal Palace, it’s a massive game for The Reds. Jota has proved he can be the man for the big occasion, and they don’t come much bigger than Wednesday’s game at the Emirates.
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