Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand admits old rivals Liverpool have made a "phenomenal" signing in Diogo Jota.
The Portugal international joined the Reds from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window in a deal that could be worth up to £45million.
And the 23-year-old forward has made a flying start to his career on Merseyside, scoring eight goals in 12 appearances for Jurgen Klopp 's side in all competitions so far.
He also made history by becoming the first Liverpool player to score in his opening four top-flight games at Anfield.
Jota was initially tasked with breaking into the established front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino but his exploits have given Klopp a selection headache.
“You’ve got to give time up for this man, Diogo Jota has come in and four goals in his first four starts for Liverpool [in the league],” Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.
“The recruitment at Liverpool - what they have done to get him, so far what he has produced - is fully justified.
“Not many people were sitting there going: ‘Jota, let’s get Jota’.
"He has come in and he is saying to Klopp: ‘You better start me. You can’t afford to drop me. I am banging in goals week in, week out’.
“That’s what you want at a top club, you want players coming in and having an impact immediately, saying to other players, ‘yeah you guys are great, I watched you last season, but I’m here to raise the bar’.
"And rightly so. That’s what you want at a top club. He has been nothing short of a phenomenal signing.”
