Liverpool are in pre-season action against Sevilla on Sunday afternoon at Anfield and the deadlock has been broken courtesy of sensational Diogo Jota goal. 

The Reds open their Premier League campaign against Ipswich Town on Saturday and the team that has started the match against La Liga side are likely to line up at Portman Road next week.

Jota is almost certain to start the clash up front as the Portuguese star has worked with Slot the most during pre-season and has played the most minutes out of the Reds’ major forward stars. The 27-year-old made his claim for the starting spot stronger on Sunday scoring a sensational goal at Anfield.

The Portugal international met a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross with a beautiful left-foot volley which got the fans in the stadium off of their feet.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

Watch: Liverpool’s Diogo Jota scores incredible volley vs Sevilla

Jota on the volley ??? pic.twitter.com/rrUfBDxhVj

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 11, 2024

The post Video: Liverpool fans won’t believe what Diogo Jota did in pre-season clash appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Diogo Jota’s career at Liverpool has been a mixed bag as the Portuguese star has been lethal for the Reds at times but has missed long periods of seasons due to injury issues, however, the forward has a positive outlook ahead of the 2024/25 campaign getting underway. 

The Portugal international joined the Merseyside club from Wolves during the summer of 2020 and in the time since has developed into the Premier League team’s most lethal finisher.

Liverpool fans love Jota for this crucial attribute but the forward can also be frustrating as the 27-year-old is often missing when his team needs him most.

The Portuguese star missed a total of 21 games for club and country last season, which followed 29 the campaign before. This is a big issue for the player but speaking during the Reds’ pre-season tour of America, Jota has a positive outlook ahead of the new campaign.

“When you know you are injured and you are going to be out for a while, it’s like a knockout,” Jota told The Athletic. “But you need to get up again. You need to get ready to be able to run again. We’re playing in the best competitions in the world, so it’s not so easy to get into form and make the difference. But I did that last season every single time I was on the pitch.

Diogo Jota could be crucial to Liverpool’s success this season

Jota could play a big role for Liverpool this season as he is undoubtedly the Reds’ best finisher, while the likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo are the opposite.

The Portuguese star produced 15 goals and four assists across the 32 games he featured in last season, which shows that when he is on the pitch the forward often makes an impact.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

The 27-year-old is the only forward available to Arne Slot for the remainder of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of America, which will give the Portugal international a high chance of starting the opening game of the new campaign away at Ipswich Town.

That match could be the platform for Jota to cement a starting spot for the season and it is something the player will certainly be aware of.

The post “I can help the team” – Liverpool fans will love hearing injury prone star’s positive outlook ahead of new season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ian Rush believes Diogo Jota is the ‘most natural finisher’ currently at Liverpool and has compared the forward to Reds legend Kevin Keegan. 

Rush is himself one of the most iconic players ever to wear a red jersey, scoring a club-record 346 goals for Liverpool across two spells at the club in the 1980s and 1990s, winning five league titles and two European Cups among a host of other honours.

With that in mind, the 62-year-old former Wales international is well-placed to make a judgement on Liverpool’s current crop of goalscorers.

In his opinion, Jota — who has 56 goals and 19 assists to his name in 145 appearances since joining from Wolves in 2020 — is the top finisher currently at Anfield.

Rush even compared the Portugal international to two-time Ballon d’Or winner Keegan, who scored 100 goals and won a host of major honours with Liverpool during the 1970s.

“He is most probably the most natural finisher at the club. I keep saying it – he reminds me of Kevin Keegan,” Rush told Liverpool FC’s official YouTube channel (via TBR) of Jota.

“For someone who is a small man, he is very, very good in the air. He has got a football brain. He is a natural finisher, and let’s hope that he keeps himself fit. He is unbelievable.

“He gets stuck in, and he gives 100%. That’s what all supporters want. Jota normally gives 100%. He also scores goals as well.”

Jota will be hoping to prove Rush correct this season following a nightmare 2023/24 campaign in which he was sidelined for extended periods with muscle and knee injuries.

The post Ian Rush names Liverpool’s ‘most natural’ finisher in Keegan comparison appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has provided an update on when some of his stars will return from their holidays having competed in Euro 2024 and Copa America this summer. 

Pre-season has not been ideal for Slot as the Dutch coach would have wanted a full squad to work with heading into the 2024/25 campaign.

The former Feyenoord boss would have hoped to get his ideas across to his new team as quickly as possible but the summer tournaments have delayed that, which could compromise the start of the Merseyside club’s season.

Slot has been working with a limited number of Liverpool’s best 11 in recent weeks and speaking to the press on Thursday ahead of the Reds’ match with Real Betis in Pittsburgh on Friday night, the Dutch coach has provided an update on when all of his players are returning.

The 45-year-old confirmed that Diogo Jota will join up with the rest of the Liverpool squad in Pittsburgh on Thursday but won’t feature against Betis.

Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch are due to link up with the Premier League team in Philadelphia ahead of games against Arsenal and Man United.

However, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz will miss the entire tour of the United States and will start their pre-season schedule back in Liverpool

“Diogo is arriving today. He will have his testing day tomorrow and then join us for the sessions the day after,” Slot told the media via The Athletic.

“Ibou and Ryan will join us later in the trip. Alisson will also start at the AXA with the others.”

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

Big task ahead for Arne Slot at Liverpool

Liverpool’s pre-season preparations will make Slot’s job at Anfield a little harder at the beginning but there will be more than enough time for the Dutch coach to get his big stars in line with his ideas in order for the Merseyside club to achieve their goals this season.

It was always going to be hard for the successor of Jurgen Klopp as the legendary figure’s influence at Liverpool went beyond football.

A top-four finish and a deep run in the Champions League should be considered a success for the Reds ahead of the upcoming campaign, but overall fans of the Merseyside club should be excited about life with Slot even if his first season is a tough one.

The post Arne Slot confirms three major players will join Liverpool’s pre-season tour in latest update on returning stars appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool after the Premier League season ended to take a break from football.

The German manager joined the club in 2015 and in his nine years at the club, he guided them to success in the Premier League and the Champions League.

Klopp built a special connection with the players, the fans and the community and that will continue for a long time.

Liverpool star Diogo Jota has revealed that Klopp still contacts his players even after quitting the club.

The German manager has since been replaced by Arne Slot, who has been given the responsibility of guiding Liverpool to success similar to Klopp’s.

The Portugal international has claimed Klopp messaged him after Portugal’s Euro 2024 match in which Jota celebrated the goal by putting the ball inside his shirt to celebrate the incoming birth of his child.

The goal was later disallowed but Klopp found out that Jota and his partner are expecting the birth of their child.

“By chance he sent a message after the first game,” Jota said at a press conference after the match, via O Jogo.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

“He is a coach who doesn’t miss anything, he knows the moments when he should talk to the players.

“It was a word of support for my goal being disallowed and having a special meaning for me. But then we won the three points, that was the most important thing.”

Klopp still keeps an eye on his Liverpool players

This shows Klopp is still keeping a close eye on his players and he is following their matches.

It might be too early to say that Klopp is missing his job at Anfield but the relationships he managed to build at the club with the players and everyone involved with the Merseyside club are going to last for a long time.

The former Liverpool manager will be hoping and wishing success to the new manager at Anfield and expecting his former players to win silverware next season.

The post Diogo Jota reveals heartwarming gesture of former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Portugal were 3-0 winners over the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday with Liverpool’s Diogo Jota producing a world-class assist to round off the night.

The Portuguese were beaten by Croatia last time out and got back to winning ways over the Irish. Martinez’s side dominated the match, which saw Cristiano Ronaldo bag a brace, with his first being an unstoppable rocket.

For the second, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota was the star of the show as he produced a world-class assist. The Reds forward ran through the Irish defence before picking out Ronaldo with an outside-of-the-boot pass.

It has been a tough season for Jota due to injuries, but it looks like the forward is sharp heading to Germany.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

Watch: Liverpool’s Diogo Jota produces world-class assist for Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal win

130 international goals and still going strong! ?

Cristiano Ronaldo gets his second of the night ?? pic.twitter.com/Gy98ZfkoyM

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 11, 2024

??3-0 ?? GOAL PORTUGAL
Ronaldo has two, Portugal have three and it's damage limitation for Ireland
?@rte2 and @RTEplayer ? https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
? ? https://t.co/HW04t8asiU
?@RTERadio1Extra ? https://t.co/Sv0ZFHu5Ph pic.twitter.com/YbPzlgfUbg

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 11, 2024

The post Video: Liverpool’s Diogo Jota produces world-class assist in Portugal win appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The Liverpool forward scored for Portugal just three minutes after being subbed on during their international friendly on Saturday evening.

With the European Championship kicking off next Friday, teams are taking part in friendlies as they put in their last-minute preparations to get ready for the tournament.

In one of the most competitive games, Croatia take on Portugal in the Estadio Nacional in Oeiras with the travelling side taking an early lead through Luka Modric.

Portugal then equalised just after the break, with Diogo Jota coming off the bench and tapping home within only three minutes.

Diogo Jota scores just a couple of minutes after the restart

And the @LFC man has Portugal back on level terms pic.twitter.com/afxnIABaZl

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 8, 2024

The post Video: Diogo Jota equalises for Portugal minutes after being subbed on appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Diogo Jota has doubled the lead for Portugal against Finland. 

Manchester City’s Ruben Dias opened the scoring for Portugal in the 17th minute before Jota made it 2-0 from the spot.

Just on the brink of half-time, Portugal were awarded a penalty. The Liverpool forward stepped up to take it and sent the keeper the wrong way to double the lead.

Watch the goal below:

Diogo Jota’s goal from the stands!

pic.twitter.com/qJradXygwS

— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) June 4, 2024

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

This was Jota’s 13th goal for his country in his 37th cap.

The post Video: Liverpool’s Diogo Jota doubles Portugal’s lead against Finland appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool will be without Conor Bradley and Diogo Jota for this weekend’s clash with West Ham but the Reds will have Cody Gakpo back in their squad for the trip to London. 

Bradley has been sidelined since picking up a knock against Crystal Palace earlier this month, while Jota sustained an issue during last Sunday’s win at Fulham despite only returning from a recent setback.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s match with West Ham on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed the duo will miss the trip to the London Stadium and will need more time to recover from their injuries.

“Both not ready. Progressing well, [but] not ready and nobody told me yet they will start training in the next few days. I think it will take time, a little bit,” the Reds boss said via Liverpool.com.

On the other hand, Klopp has confirmed that Cody Gakpo will be back in his squad after the Dutch star missed Wednesday night’s defeat to Everton due to his partner going into labour.

Speaking about the 24-year-old’s situation, Klopp said via Liverpool.com: “Mum well, boy well, father well and back in training yesterday.”

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

Liverpool need to keep pushing for Premier League title

The Everton defeat all but confirmed Liverpool’s exit from the Premier League title race but Jurgen Klopp’s men need to keep pushing just in case Arsenal and Man City somehow slip up.

Even if the Reds don’t win the league, Klopp’s reign at Anfield needs to end on a high note and that can still be achieved by winning their remaining four games.

The post Jurgen Klopp confirms key Liverpool duo to miss West Ham clash, 24-year-old to return appeared first on CaughtOffside.

It’s been a difficult season for Liverpool with injuries, and they’ve been dealt yet another blow as Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Diogo Jota looks set to be out for around two weeks.

The Portugal international scored in the win over Fulham at the weekend, and has generally always been a player who can make an impact when he’s fit, though that’s been more and more of a struggle for him as his Anfield career has gone on.

Jota is far from the only Liverpool player who’s missed a lot of games this season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold also a key player who’s missed a lengthy period, as well as Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah, who have been in and out of the side.

Diogo Jota injury: Klopp confirms latest Liverpool blow

As quoted by Liverpool’s official site today, Klopp said: “Diogo scored the goal, felt a little bit and now we found out it’s a little bit more. So he will be out for two weeks. Besides that, no [other new injury concerns].”

Jota will no doubt be missed, but Liverpool have decent depth in attack, with the likes of Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo able to help the Reds through this period as they look to stay in the Premier League title race.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

LFC beat Fulham at the weekend to go level on points with Arsenal, though they’re behind the league leaders on goal difference, while Manchester City can still go ahead of them both if they win their game in hand.

This looks like being an extremely close title race, so Liverpool will no doubt want to have key players like Jota fit and available as much as possible between now and the end of the campaign, which will be Klopp’s final one in charge at Anfield.

The post Liverpool injury blow as Jurgen Klopp confirms key player faces around two weeks out appeared first on CaughtOffside.