Pundit Michael Dawson has given his opinion on Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.
The Reds signed the Portugal international from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a transfer fee of €44.70 million back in the summer of 2020.
Jota has performed well for Liverpool since. The 25-year-old has scored 27 goals and registered three assists in 58 appearances for the club's first-team.
However, Dawson originally thought that Jota was simply going to be a squad player when he first signed for the Reds.
The 38-year-old told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (22/01/22 at 1:25 pm) the following: “Yes, I do (think that Jota is world-class). I think he is that good.
“We sit on the show and talk about ‘how are they going to deal without a [Sadio] Mane and a [Mohamed] Salah?’
“When Jota first went there, I thought, ‘how is he going to get into the team? Where he is going to play? [Roberto] Firmino there. And a front three as good as anyone in the world.
“I just thought, ‘he is going to be a bench player’. But how he has gone in by scoring goals. And he has stepped up to the mark without the superstars. And he is one of them at Liverpool now – what a signing he has been. £40 million I think it was? That’s a bargain.”
Anfield Watch Verdict
We understand Dawson's original point of view. The front three of Salah, Firmino and Mane have helped the club win four major trophies.
Therefore, it was always going to be difficult for an outsider to come in and challenge the aforementioned players.
But, credit to Jota. The striker has done exactly that. As we have already pointed out, Jota is only 25 years of age.
The Portugal international's career is far from finished, which is good news for Liverpool.
Jota's current contract expires in June 2025.
