Diogo Jota SAVES his Liverpool career with Merseyside derby winner

Diogo Jota has struggled at times under Arne Slot, but he proved on Wednesday night just how valuable he can be.

His selection in the starting XI may have raised some eyebrows among Liverpool supporters, but Jota showed he deserved his spot.

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As exclusively revealed by Anfield Watch earlier this year, Jota is one of several high-profile players who are expected to leave Liverpool in the summer.

Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards may want to reconsider that plan of action after what was a vintage Diogo Jota display in the Merseyside Derby, however.

Diogo Jota shows his worth against Everton

In a game of very few chances for the Reds, Jota provided a moment of clinical brilliance to break the deadlock.

In the 57th minute the Portuguese international received the ball on the edge of the box before taking it past Idrissa Gueye and James Tarkowski and slotting the ball calmly past Jordan Pickford.

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The effort was the 28-year-old’s first shot on target of the match, but he certainly made it count.

After scoring his first goal in 11 appearances for the Reds, Jota was replaced on the 75th minute by Darwin Nunez.

The future of Diogo Jota

Although Jota is expected to leave Anfield in the approaching transfer window, a clear destination is yet to emerge for him.

Nunez saw a bid of around £70m from Saudi Arabia rejected in January, and Luis Diaz is a long-time target of Barcelona, but there is no obvious suitor for Jota.

Newcastle are reportedly interested, and he could be involved in some sort of swap deal for Alexander Isak, but those negotiations appear to still be in the early stages.

Jota’s former side Wolves have also been linked with a move, but they are yet to confirm their Premier League safety and it’s unlikely they’d be able to afford the move if they did drop into the Championship.

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Diogo Jota’s future definitely remains uncertain, but if he can score a few more goals like his effort against Everton in the closing weeks of the season it will be very hard for Hughes to sanction a sale.