‘Diogo Jota to never play for Liverpool again after surprise absence v Brighton’
Diogo Jota’s time at Liverpool looks to be coming to a disappointing end after missing the defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Supporters were surprised to see the Portuguese forward missing for the trip to the south coast, with Arne Slot’s side dealt just their fourth loss of the Premier League season on Monday, 19 May.
Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai sandwiched a first-half effort from Yasin Ayari, only for substitutes Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood to turn the game on its head in the final 20 minutes.
There was a bit of controversy as Keith Hackett fumed at Brajan Gruda’s dive against Liverpool, telling Football Insider that red cards for simulation would solve the diving epidemic in football.
Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, who have both been linked with Liverpool exits, were brought on as late substitutes, but Jota was nowhere to be seen despite the Reds needing a goal.
Diogo Jota linked with Liverpool exit ahead of summer window
Despite notching nine goals and three assists in 36 appearances this season, his 14 Premier League starts would suggest that Slot has not been convinced by the 28-year-old’s performances.
Football Insider reported in March that Liverpool are reluctant to award Jota a new contract, with club chiefs feeling that his regular injury problems have held him back in recent months.
Now, Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported on X (20 May) that Saudi Pro League sides have enquired over the former Wolves star’s availability this summer, in addition to Nunez and Diaz.
He has started just two of the last Liverpool fixtures, and after being left out of the trip to the Amex Stadium, fans can probably expect an imminent exit for the 28-year-old.
Arne Slot preparing to rebuild squad at Anfield
While Jota was a fan favourite during Jurgen Klopp’s reign, the player has taken a back seat since the arrival of Slot, and he could be sacrificed as a squad overhaul is expected at Anfield this summer.
Jeremie Frimpong looks set to be Liverpool’s first signing of the window, but any more big-money moves will require a shifting of the current squad to free up funds and space in the team.
Given that Jota has been underused by the new manager this season, it makes total sense that the Portugal international could be the next player to follow Trent Alexander-Arnold out the exit doors.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Diogo Jota | 181 | 65 | 22 |
Speaking to Liverpool News 247 (14 May), Dan Plumley said that Liverpool will squeeze money out of Real Madrid if Alexander-Arnold is to leave Anfield early ahead of the Club World Cup.
Given that just days remain until the summer transfer window opens, Jota could actually be the first to leave if the Reds cannot come to an agreement with Los Blancos over the club’s departing right-back.