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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Diogo Jota dilemma emerges for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp faces three pre-season questions

A slightly bemused Darwin Nunez didn't quite appear to understand exactly what was happening on the pitch of the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening, but he at least knew why.

As the sound of Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa's One Kiss reverberated around the home of Leicester City, Nunez looked somewhat confused by it all as he and his team-mates celebrated their latest piece of silver on the pitch.

The 2018 Harris hit has become something of the adopted ode to this trophy-gathering Liverpool squad during the Klopp era alongside the rest of the 'champions playlist' – a collection of tunes that have been aired with increasing frequency over the last two years, particularly since the Carabao Cup was snared at the end of February at Wembley.

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But if Nunez was somewhat shocked to hear 12,000 supporters crooning along to a UK chart hit from over four years ago, it will be something he is likely to become accustomed to at Anfield. Such scenes have become part of the modern culture for the Reds during a period that has seen them win every trophy in English football alongside a sixth European Cup and a first-ever Club World Cup.

Much of that continued success rests on the shoulders of £64m man Nunez following his move from Benfica. He's a player for the long term but his remit is to perform here and now for Klopp as they look to absorb the loss of the influential Sadio Mane.

So far, so good for the 23-year-old. Four goals against RB Leipzig were more than welcome, but it was his stooping header in the closing stages of the Community Shield against now arch-rivals Manchester City that will have resonated just that bit more.

Early days, of course, but the initial signs are positive. As the Premier League prepares to swing back into focus this weekend, though, there is a feeling that Klopp may just go with the familiar against Fulham on Saturday lunchtime in the shape of Roberto Firmino.

Klopp explained earlier this summer how both strikers offer much different things on the pitch, which gives more variety to his options but with the Reds kicking things off at Craven Cottage this weekend, the manager may just go with the tried-and-trusted for now.

Nunez, as evidenced by his cameo against City, has the potential to become a useful impact sub from the bench while he continues to get used to the patterns of movement for Liverpool's front three.

Jota facing uphill battle

One issue Klopp has is the injury to Diogo Jota and his lack of a pre-season programme as a result. The Portugal international flew to Thailand for the game with Manchester United but felt a reoccurrence of a hamstring problem he picked up on international duty with Portugal in June.

It has resulted in Jota being unable to build up any real base level of fitness over the course of the off-season. It means the former Wolves man might take some time before he is up to speed for the Reds this term.

It's a setback that has come at the most inopportune of times for Jota as he gets set to take on extra responsibility in Liverpool's forward department following the departure of Mane. The focus for him now is on recovering as quickly as possible.

Matip expected to partner Van Dijk

At centre-back there are fewer issues to wrestle with but Ibrahima Konate will be assessed after coming off in the second-half of Sunday's 3-0 friendly defeat to Strasbourg as a precaution.

Klopp did not sound overly concerned with the setback for the French defender but having started Saturday's Community Shield, it looks like Joel Matip is leading the race to partner Virgil van Dijk in west London.

A new contract and full summer schedule for Joe Gomez will give the 25-year-old a spring in his step for the new term but Matip has proven himself to be one of the finest centre-halves in the Premier League, even if his wider acknowledgement is sometimes not as forthcoming outside of the Anfield bubble.

It was one of the main selection dilemmas for Klopp throughout last term as both Konate and Matip turned in impressive displays to give him plenty of food for thought at centre-back. The problem with Konate, however minor, means Matip is expected to get the nod at Craven Cottage.

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