MY ACCOUNT
Diogo Jota is determined to find his best form for Liverpool now that he is back from injury.
The striker made his first start of the season in Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Ajax, having previously been out with a hamstring issue.
Jota provided an assist for Mohamed Salah’s opener in the 2-1 win at Anfield, which also saw Joel Matip head in an 89th-minute winner to give Liverpool their first points in Group A.
Speaking to the club’s website, the Portugal international outlined his frustration at starting the season injured, but he wants to make up for lost time after seeing his team-mates struggle in the opening weeks.
Liverpool’s win against Ajax was just their third victory in eight games since the season began, having drawn three and lost one of their six Premier League fixtures, and they also lost their opening Champions League group game 4-1 at Napoli last week.
“Coming back from injury, [you] always wish for a different scenario and everything is rolling and we are winning the games comfortably, but it is what it is,” Jota said.
“We need to think and to deal with the situation and I think I did that [against Ajax], and the team did that, so all good.”
Jota initially sustained an injury on international duty at the end of last season, and then suffered a recurrence almost immediately in pre-season, meaning he could only make his first appearance as a late substitute in the recent 0-0 draw at Everton.
“It was the first time in my career that happened, but we cannot change that,” the former Wolves player said. “I think I need to do my best from now on. Obviously [the] coach knows that as well. I’ve been playing gradually more and more so I can be ready to play 90 minutes soon.”
Manager Jurgen Klopp had spoken of some strong words being shared among the players following their chastening defeat in Naples, and Jota believes the team responded with their performance against Ajax.
“Our last game was not good enough so it was a big improvement,” he said. “Not perfect, obviously – but a very good game from our side.
“I think we didn’t deserve the goal we conceded [to Mohammad Kudus], that’s football. I think we reacted [in] the way that was possible and, in the end, we got the result that we deserved.”
