Diogo Jota, forward - Liverpool FC
Diogo Jota provided further Premier League-proven quality to the Liverpool FC squad after joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020.
The new Reds No.20 had netted 16 goals in 67 top-flight outings in the previous two seasons as Wolves recorded successive seventh-placed finishes, plus nine Europa League strikes during a run to the quarter-finals in 2019-20.
A hugely versatile forward capable of featuring in any role of a front three and in wide midfield positions, Jota earned full international honours for Portugal, too, and opened his account for his country just weeks before signing for Liverpool.
He originally switched to Wolves on loan from Atletico Madrid in 2017 and hit 17 goals that year to help fire them out of the Championship as league winners before making the move to Molineux permanent and successfully transferring his talents to the Premier League.
Having begun his career in his homeland with Pacos de Ferreira, Jota's rapid progress following a debut in 2014 had prompted Atletico to swoop for his services in 2016 – though he never actually appeared for the Spanish club.
Instead, he spent 2016-17 on loan at FC Porto, scoring eight times in the Primeira Liga and gaining Champions League experience, including a goal against Leicester City.
By 2020, with Liverpool aiming to follow up their Premier League and European Cup triumphs of the previous two campaigns, Jürgen Klopp had identified Jota as a natural fit for his squad.
Jota wasted no time in showcasing his talents at his new club, reaching double figures in goals after just 21 appearances despite his debut season being interrupted by a knee injury sustained in December that ruled him out for around three months.
His progress accelerated again in 2021-22, the forward plundering 21 goals in all competitions and playing a key role as the Reds lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup while narrowly missing out on the Premier League and Champions League.
Then, ahead of the beginning of the next season, Jota extended his time with the club by penning a new, long-term contract, before making his 100th appearance in March 2023.
He hit the net another 15 times during a 2023-24 campaign that was affected by several injuries, taking him past a half-century of goals for the club.
Date of birth
4 December 1996
Nationality
Portuguese
Honours
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NewsDiogo Jota: It's all about mental strength at this stage. Diogo Jota explained why mental strength is paramount as Liverpool look to clinch the Premier League title.
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Q&ADiogo Jota interview: Breaking down his derby winner and the 'final' at Fulham. Diogo Jota hopes for many more special moments in a Liverpool shirt after his superb winner against Everton in midweek.
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Listen now'The Reaction' podcast: Slot, Jota and Jones analyse Merseyside derby victory. Get the post-match thoughts of central figures in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Everton in 'The Reaction' podcast.
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ReactionArne Slot press conference: Derby victory, Diogo Jota strike, Curtis Jones and more. Arne Slot praised a hard-fought 1-0 victory from his Liverpool side over Everton at Anfield in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
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Reaction'Massive' - Diogo Jota and Virgil van Dijk react to Liverpool's Merseyside derby win. Diogo Jota and Virgil van Dijk were left delighted after Liverpool secured a crucial three points from Wednesday night's Merseyside derby.