Liverpool had their shooting boots on as they secured a much-needed 3-1 win at Fulham on Sunday.
Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota ensured Liverpool kept up with the pace in the Premier League title race.
Jurgen Klopp watched his team crumble to a defeat to Crystal Palace last week, but he knew another slip-up would be season-ending.
Not only did the Reds crash out of the Europa League midweek, but they also handed the advantage to Manchester City in the title race.
Not that Pep Guardiola’s side needed it!
It also needs to be noted that Arsenal also won on Saturday, so not even a point would have been accepted at Craven Cottage.
The starting XI against Fulham was brave from Klopp because he decided to bench star man Mohamed Salah.
But Diogo Jota started and scored, with Michael Owen sharing that he is ‘most confident’ when he is running through on goal, as he told Premier League Productions (21/04/24 at 6:40 pm).
The former England striker also added that Jota is ‘surprisingly good in the air’ after he reached 100 career goals in English football.
That is one of Jota’s many traits, as well as his ability to be strong on his weaker foot, and Owen was sure to give the former Wolves star his flowers.
Diogo Jota’s heading ability
“I do think he is very good in front of goal,” said Owen. “He is surprisingly good in the air.
“He’s not slow. He is just floating around the backline here and he times his run nicely. He takes the ball away from the defender and then the power almost pushes it through the goalkeeper, I would say.
“I am most confident when he is running through on goal, I must admit, out of all the Liverpool players. He has been out for a while, so he is just getting his sharpness again. Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to have him back in – I didn’t know he was top of that list (conversation rate for Liverpool players). I just go off what I see and I always think that Diogo Jota, in front of goal, would back him. I think he is a very good finisher.”
Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah starting together
It has been a while since Liverpool fans have seen the Liverpool duo consistently start together in the Premier League.
Given the quality of the two, it has no doubt played a huge part in why the team hasn’t been able to take the advantage in this three-way title race.
But now that two key players are back for the club, this is the chance to ensure that they do their job, continue to pick up maximum points and take this race to the final day.
And with the Merseyside derby up next, it’s a great time for Jota and Salah to be starting again in the Premier League.