Liverpool still have six players dreaming of tasting success at this summer’s European Championship.
The Reds have done relatively well at the tournament, having only seen four players eliminated by the semi-final stage.
However, that does mean that things have been totally straightforward. Cody Gakpo has comfortably been the most impressive of the bunch, with Arne Slot praising Gakpo’s displays for the Netherlands.
Other than the Liverpool No.18 though, there have been difficulties with just about everybody else. From Virgil van Dijk looking a little awkward to Trent Alexander-Arnold receiving stinging criticism.
Three Liverpool players – Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch and Joe Gomez – may still be in the tournament with their nations, but they are all yet to play a single minute.
Ian Wright gives Diogo Jota assessment
As well as those who are still hoping to lift the trophy in Berlin on Sunday, the members of the Liverpool squad who have been knocked out will have reason to be upset with their own performances.
Andy Robertson never really got going with Scotland, while Dominik Szoboszlai did not live up to expectations for Hungary.
Unfortunately, goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros was another who failed to feature for the Czech Republic, while Diogo Jota’s impact was heavily reduced by Roberto Martinez being insistent on keeping him on the bench.
While the other three will all have their own issues regarding their level, it is perhaps Jota who can be the most disappointed.
Portugal had been one of the pre-tournament favourites and should really have done better than a quarter-final exit against France.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker blown away by what ‘wonderful’ Liverpool player did at Euro 2024
Despite Jota’s quality in front of goal, he was not brought throughout 120 minutes of that stalemate against the French. Instead, Martinez persevered with a misfiring Cristiano Ronaldo.
Discussing Portugal’s failure on The Overlap, pundit Ian Wright has claimed that Jota is the one who should feel to have missed out.
“When you look at them from defence to attack, apart from the Ronaldo…” said Wright.
“Does he retire now?” Gary Neville chimed in.
“I think the way he played at this Euro’s, despite how great he has been, surely Diogo Jota must be disappointed that he can’t get on that pitch,” answered the Arsenal legend.
Diogo Jota hoping for better season at Liverpool
Jota only featured for 97 minutes across three games for Portugal. Unbelievably, the 27-year-old was left on the bench in two out of three games by Martinez.
Had he been on the pitch to take one, you’d have backed Liverpool’s No.20 to bury his spot-kick against France, too.
That the former Everton manager didn’t trust Jota with his team struggling to score really is baffling.
For the £45m Liverpool forward, Wright is correct, he must be bitterly disappointed. Jota missed out on the World Cup in 2022 because of injury and has now seen his Euros obliterated by some inept management.
Now, the focus for Jota must be on making sure he arrives back at the AXA Training Centre fit and ready to go under Slot.
The former Wolves man has had injury troubles during the last two pre-seasons and will be hoping to avoid an unwanted hat-trick. Rest up and get back ready to go, Diogo.
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