Diogo Jota’s comeback from injury fortifies Liverpool’s squad, offering Jurgen Klopp more choices for the remaining seven matches.
In just a minute after entering the game, Diogo Jota showcased the qualities that Liverpool had been missing due to his injury absence.
Coming on when Liverpool were trailing by two goals against Atalanta, a surprising scoreline for everyone at Anfield, the Portuguese player swiftly maneuvered past two defenders and earned a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Reflective of Liverpool’s lackluster performance, which has put them on the brink of exiting the Europa League, the resulting set-piece was squandered. Despite the routine delivery to the back post, Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to threaten as the ball was easily cleared.
Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Atalanta, Kopites were left feeling solemn. Finding positives from the match proved challenging, as Liverpool had been convincingly defeated by a team currently sitting sixth in Serie A, putting their hopes for a Dublin final celebration in serious doubt.
However, amid the gloom, there was a glimmer of hope with Jota’s return to the pitch. After an absence of nearly two months due to a knee injury sustained during a 4-1 victory against Brentford, Jota’s comeback strengthens Liverpool’s bid for the Premier League title.
Despite being considered outsiders compared to Arsenal and Manchester City, they remain competitive, tied on points with the former and one point ahead of the latter.
Another positive takeaway from the Atalanta match was Cody Gakpo’s performance. Despite a challenging season, Klopp took responsibility for Gakpo’s struggles, particularly due to deploying him as a midfielder out of necessity. Klopp admitted that this tactical decision had affected Gakpo’s confidence.
The 24-year-old has tallied 14 goals this season, with only six in the Premier League where he’s mainly served as a substitute. Nonetheless, his recent start against Atalanta showcased his prowess, offering Liverpool a strong presence and adept movement between the lines while holding his ground against their physical play.
Gakpo earned a notable player rating of 7.79 from WhoScored, highlighting his contributions with five key passes, four dribbles, and two tackles, while Ibrahima Konate followed closely at 6.8.
Since his £37 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, Gakpo has been instrumental in Liverpool’s unexpected fifth-place finish last season, particularly notable given his impact. With Jota’s return to fitness, Klopp now has all his attacking options available, a rarity this season.
Despite their potential, the trio of Jota, Gakpo, and Mo Salah have only started one Premier League game together, a 3-1 win at Wolves in September, when the primary focus was Champions League qualification.
As Crystal Palace prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday, Gakpo should be a consideration for Klopp, especially after his impactful performance in the recent 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez missed a crucial opportunity against Atalanta, continuing a trend of being substituted in matches where Liverpool are trailing.
Luis Diaz is expected to reclaim his spot on the left wing against Palace, with Liverpool likely to be careful with Jota to prevent another injury setback.
Following the Eagles match, Liverpool have six league games left, and Klopp may consider deploying Salah, Jota, and Gakpo as a formidable trio.
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