Ferdinand waxes lyrical about Liverpool man ‘pushing’ others

Joe Williams
Rio Ferdinand Liverpool

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has hailed Liverpool forward Diogo Jota for not being content just “chilling on the sidelines”.

Eyebrows were briefly raised as Liverpool paid Wolves £40million for the Portugal international, but he’s quickly proven his worth. We should have known better than to doubt them.

He already has nine goals and his form has sparked speculation as to whether he could break up Liverpool’s fabled front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in the long term.


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“Mr Jota does it again,” Ferdinand told the FIVE YouTube channel. “He is on absolute fire. What a find he is. Not a steal at £40 million, but still not many people saw him as a player coming to Liverpool and being someone who’s contending for those starting positions.

“Not coming in and being a role player and chilling on the sidelines. Getting 10 minutes here and half an hour there. He’s pushing for a starting position given his output of goals.

“Comes in. Bang! Looks confident. The team look like they love him being there. Who wouldn’t? Five goals in five starts in the Premier League.”