Liverpool and Arsenal look likely to be Manchester City’s closest challengers once again this season.
Between them, the Reds and the Gunners have finished as runners-up in each of the last three Premier League seasons.
Both will be hoping to go one better this season, with Liverpool ready for a new era under Arne Slot and Arsenal looking to take the next step with Mikel Arteta.
During the past couple of years, Arteta has had a much improved record against the Reds. However, the former Everton midfielder and his side still can’t seem to get a win at Anfield. They’ve been on the end of some rough defeats, too.
So, when defender Ben White was asked to name his toughest Premier League opponents this week, it was not a surprise to hear him praise one Liverpool forward.
Ben White hails Diogo Jota
White has slowly improved to become one of the most impressive right-backs in England. Although nominally a centre-half, the 26-year-old works well at full-back.
Nevertheless, White has still found the going tough against Liverpool. Perhaps the worst moment for the former Brighton man against the Reds was a 4-0 defeat back in November 2021.
White played centre-half that day and came up against a rampant Liverpool front three of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane. All three scored.
One of the most memorable images of the game was Jota sitting White down and slotting past Aaron Ramsdale for 2-0.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher says Diogo Jota keeps doing something ‘ridiculous’ which needs to stop
On the back of that, then, it perhaps shouldn’t have been a shock to hear the Arsenal man name Jota as one of his toughest three Premier League opponents when speaking to Sky Sports Premier League.
Having picked Marcus Rashford and Jeremy Doku as his top two, White snuck Liverpool’s No.20 in at number three.
“Jota, really good,” said the defender. Asked if the Jota is underrated, White absolutely agreed.
“Very,” he answered. “When you play against him, you don’t realise how quick he is, strong, he’s obviously technically really, really good.”
Diogo Jota ready for big season with Liverpool
Jota is certainly underrated outside of the Liverpool fanbase. But that would perhaps be a different story if the 27-year-old could stay fit.
After missing so much of the past two seasons, there is hope that Diogo can keep healthy this time around.
If he can do that, then he’ll score goals, simple as. Pundit Clinton Morrison has even claimed that Jota is more important than Salah to this Liverpool team.
While that might be a bit of stretch, it is the case that the Reds are a better and more threatening outfit when the Portuguese is playing.
Jota’s ability to bundle his way through and grab himself a goal is uncanny. White won’t be the only one with the little forward in his top three.
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