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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Jurgen Klopp sends message to Diogo Jota after first Liverpool goal

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Diogo Jota will never forget his Anfield debut after netting in the 3-1 win against Arsenal.

The Portugal international, who joined from Wolves earlier this month in a deal that could be worth £45million, sealed the points late on with an impressive strike at the Kop end.

Jota could have had a hat-trick after coming on with around 10 minutes remaining as the Reds pushed forward for the third goal, before he wrapped up the win with his well-taken strike.

Klopp was full of praise for the new man but says he will need more time to adjust to how the Premier League champions operate.

The Reds boss said: "Diogo came on, played his natural football, tried to defend the way we defend and he's only on about 20 per cent of information for what we do exactly.

"We had team meetings to talk about it, but it will take time.

"Today he had like 60 or 70 minutes time to watch how Sadio is doing it and he came on the pitch and played incredibly well.

"He scored a super goal, nice first game at Anfield. So he will never forget that and I will never forget it, so a cool start."

Want even more reaction? Catch the Post-Game podcast HERE

Asked about a chance that saw Mohamed Salah get in Jota's way before the goal, Klopp dismissed the incident as he hailed the performance of the Egypt international.

And Klopp was also delighted with how his full-back pairing of Trent Alexander-Arnold and goalscorer Andy Robertson combined to make it 2-1 after Sadio Mane had cancelled out Alexandre Lacazette's opener.

"Mo didn't take it off his foot, Mo played an absolutely exceptional game tonight," Klopp added.

"Robbo, I don't think Robbo's goal was a reaction to the situation before (Arsenal's first) but it was just his performance and the reaction was really good.

"And then the goal was a cross from the right full-back and then the left full-back finished it off, which is absolutely amazing, I love it." 

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