Klopp is ‘ramping things up’ at Liverpool ahead of January after ‘brilliant’ Jota twist – Whelan
Diogo Jota is “just as important” as Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 25-year-old will be “crucial” as Salah and Mane head off to the African Cup of Nations next month.
“Versatile finisher” Jota has scored six goals in his last seven league games for Liverpool – with the Reds dropping just two points in that time.
The 2022 African Cup of Nations is due to run from 9 January to 6 February.
The Merseyside club trail Premier League leaders Man City by three points after 18 games.
Whelan insisted the “brilliant” Jota can be the “key man” for Liverpool as he leads the line in Mane and Salah’s absences.
“Jota can be the key man for Liverpool over these next months,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He is just as important as Mane and Salah. Especially as they head off to the African Cup of Nations in January.
“He is an amazing player who has hit this brilliant run of form just at the right time, six goals in seven league games.
“Klopp is starting to ramp things up and prepare his squad for Salah and Mane going away. Origi is getting more and more minutes, Minamino is getting game time – they’re really going to be crucial to keeping up with Man City.”
Liverpool signed Jota from Wolves last summer (2020) for a reported £45m fee.
The Portugal international has scored 25 goals in 52 games for the Merseyside club.
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