Jota’s stunning hat-trick against Atalanta brought his total to seven goals in 10 games for the Reds – but Harry Redknapp insists he needs to do more to move Firmino into the eleven of departure
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Harry Redknapp told Diogo Jota he could not yet be considered a « great player » and played down comparisons with Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino
Jota has lit Anfield since his £ 41million move from Wolves in September, scoring seven times in 10 appearances at a remarkable pace of one goal every 71 minutes
The Portugal international made a successful start in midweek, scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 beating against Atalanta
The performance raised serious questions over whether Jota should retain his place in the starting XI for the trip to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon at Firmino’s expense
But Redknapp insists it’s too early to compare the 23-year-old to Brazilian star Firmino, who has scored or assisted 141 times in 255 appearances for Liverpool
« To be considered a great player at a club like Liverpool, you have to reach the top week after week, » Redknapp wrote in The Sun
« The man Jota is currently replacing in the squad is Roberto Firmino, someone who has been at Liverpool for five years
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« He won the Premier League and the Champions League with them, making a significant contribution to both »
Nonetheless, Redknapp believes Jota has a bright future at Anfield and has told him precisely what he needs to do to be considered a « great » Liverpool
The former Portsmouth and Tottenham boss added: « His durability at Anfield has yet to be tested But what he’s now giving Liverpool is cover – great cover in the front positions, where they are already strong
« If Jota keeps his place, manages to hang on and force Firmino to leave the team for long stays, I’ll be surprised – and pleasantly so – because it will be a huge plus for the boy he is. stayed
« If he ends up having a say in Liverpool by winning the title this year, we can all proclaim him a great player So far, he is an exciting signing for an exciting team »
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Liverpool FC, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Premier League, Jürgen Klopp, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, UEFA Champions League, Manchester City FC
World news – United States United – Jota said he still has work to do to outdo Firmino at Liverpool
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
