Klopp lauds ‘exceptional’ Liverpool star who is ‘back to speed’; sets demand for West Ham clash
Head coach Jurgen Klopp has lavished praise on Diogo Jota following his return to form for Liverpool in recent games in the Premier League.
The Portugal international was without a goal in 19 games this season prior to Liverpool’s recent wins over Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
Jota scored braces in both games as Liverpool boosted their European hopes with wins over the relegation candidates.
Last month, it was claimed that Jota ‘could leave’ this summer for £62m amid his decline in form. But you feel Klopp will be desperate to keep him as he has been one of Liverpool’s best players in recent weeks.
Ahead of Liverpool’s game at West Ham on Wednesday night, Klopp has lauded Jota, who is a “super smart player”.
“He got back to speed. He’s an exceptional player. Since he joined us he did exceptional stuff,” Klopp told reporters.
“Diogo is a super smart player and can play in different positions. He’s not the tallest but is an extreme threat in the air and good with both feet and has the speed. He had a really bad injury this season and a bad injury before that. That kept him back – nothing else.
“His only problem is the injury this season and he would be on more than four goals. It was really cool that he could score these goals for us.”
Liverpool are nine points adrift of the top four with seven games to go so they may need to win all their remaining games to gatecrash the Champions League places.
The Reds have picked up in recent weeks but West Ham are also in good form heading into Wednesday’s game. The Hammers scored four goals against Gent and Bournemouth after they held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw.
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Klopp wants his Liverpool team to be “uncomfortable to play against” in midweek as West Ham are capable of “playing some super stuff”.
“We have to still prove ourselves. We can’t talk about consistency when we win two games,” Klopp added.
“Our defending against throws was not perfect in the last game. We have to make the next step. We have to keep going. We have a lot of things to like in the last two and half games. That is a good way to start a football game and finish a football game.”
On Wednesday’s game vs West Ham, he continued: “West Ham is a top, top, top set piece team as well. We have to be prepared for that again. The ball will be on the ground from time to time so we have to be ready for that.
“If they can go through the season without big injuries then they can play some super stuff like they did last season. We have to be uncomfortable to play against. It’s an away game and thank God we won one of those recently.”
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