Interview'I think that's what I do best' - Diogo Jota on central role in Arne Slot's Liverpool team
Diogo Jota is confident that he can thrive as a central striker for Liverpool under Arne Slot this season.
The No.20 showcased his ability in front of goal by opening the scoring on the hour mark as the Reds beat Ipswich Town 2-0 in their opening match of the Premier League campaign on Saturday.
Post-match, head coach Slot spoke of his belief that Jota’s most effective position is in the middle of his attack and the Portugal international told Liverpoolfc.com: “Yeah, I agree, especially with the way we played.
“It’s obviously a bit different from [Jürgen] Klopp where I maybe was useful out wide. I think here he [Slot] wants our wingers a lot more in one-v-ones and I think we have better options than myself!
“If I stay in the middle and wait for those chances to come in and score them, I think that is what I do the best so you can take that into the season.”
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Watch on YouTubeA much-improved collective display after half-time was key to Liverpool’s victory at Portman Road, which was sealed when Mohamed Salah doubled the lead soon after Jota’s strike.
Jota assessed: “Yeah, a positive performance. Obviously the first half was a bit harder, they were really on it [and] pressing almost man-v-man.
“The fans were there and we knew it was going to be a difficult first half because they would give it all – [it is] a long time since they have been in the Premier League.
“And then the second half they started giving us a little bit more space, which was enough for us to start building and start creating those spaces in behind.
“We created immediately a lot of chances and we ended up scoring two, so in the end I think it’s a deserved three points.”
Next up for the Reds is their first home game of the 2024-25 season, with Brentford visiting Anfield on Sunday afternoon, and Jota is delighted to have got the campaign up and running with three points on the opening weekend.
He said: “It’s massive. I think we are still adapting to the way he [Slot] wants us to play and coming here to a newly promoted team, it’s never easy and we end up with a clean sheet and three points so I think building on top of the wins is always a lot easier.”
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