Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has dismissed claims that Diogo Jota was the problem in the first half of the game against Villarreal in the Champions League last night.
The Reds were given a scare by Unai Emery’s side at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The Yellow Submarine cancelled out Liverpool’s two-goal lead before half-time in what was a truly dominant first-half display by the hosts.
It was clear that Klopp’s side were rattled, and the German simply had to change something at the break. He took off Diogo Jota and replaced him with Luis Diaz for the second half, and that proved to be a masterstroke. The Colombian completely changed the game after he came on and helped Liverpool pick up the win.
Some people then claimed that Jota may have been the reason why Liverpool were so bad in the first half, but Klopp was having none of that. He shut down those claims in his press conference after the game.
Jurgen Klopp: Diogo Jota was not the problem for Liverpool
The Liverpool boss said, as per the club’s official website: “He (Luis Diaz) had a massive impact. But, what I don’t like about this is, the next story is around that Diogo Jota was our problem: he was not at all our problem, we just had to mix it up.
“We had 11 problems, if you want, in the first half. We just had to mix it up, you can do that with explaining, what I did obviously, but you need then fresh input as well.
“Sadio, all of a sudden, was involved in the game, that was nothing to do with the position, it must have been a misunderstanding.
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“For specific situations, I wanted Mo and Sadio high and wide, but not in open play situations.”
TBR View:
Diogo Jota didn’t have a great first half but neither did any other Liverpool player. It’s extremely unfair to criticise him, even though Klopp decided to take him off ahead of anyone else at the break.
The 24-year-old Portugal international has been absolutely incredible for the Reds since he joined them from Wolves back in 2020. In 79 appearances for Liverpool, he has scored 34 goals and has provided seven assists in all competitions, which is an incredible record for someone who doesn’t start every game.
Klopp just had to change something at half-time last night and he decided to bring Luis Diaz on. That helped them win the game, but to criticise Jota for what happened in the first half is just ridiculous.
Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend and there’s a good chance Klopp will start Jota in that game.
