Diogo Jota’s 2022/23 season had a little bit of everything. After missing pre-season with a hamstring injury, he was forced to watch Liverpool’s uninspiring start from the sidelines. His season began with a baptism of fire after being brought off the bench with 10 minutes of the Merseyside derby to play. He quickly worked his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s plans and produced a remarkable hat-trick of assists away at Rangers in just a 17-minute cameo. Unfortunately, Jota then picked up an injury of his own in the dying moments of a big 1-0 win at home to Man City, a calf issue that saw Liverpool’s forward options diminish within the blink of an eye as they slipped further and further away from the front-runners.
Once again, Everton were the opponents for Jota’s return from injury as he was introduced in the second half of a 2-0 win over the neighbours. A run of four league wins from five without conceding a goal was capped by a historic 7-0 win over Man United at Anfield. His ability to play on the left of a front three as well as being the central striker gives him a crucial edge in what has become a competitive area of the pitch in Liverpool’s squad.
After a 372-day wait, Jota’s breakthrough finally came at Elland Road as he found the net twice in the space of 20 minutes during a 6-1 hammering of Leeds. He went on to score five times in four games to remind himself, as much as everyone else, what he remains capable of. When Lucas Moura carelessly handed him the ball seconds after Richarlison headed home an injury-time equaliser for Tottenham, Jota calmly swept the ball beyond Fraser Forster for an last-gasp winner in front of the Kop.
Jota’s overall season rating is 6. He started 14 games (all competitions) and was brought on as a substitute 12 times, without being an unused sub once. He scored 5 goals and assisted 8. His best moment was his last-gasp winner against Tottenham and his worst moment was missing a glorious opportunity to break his duck during the 2-0 away win at Newcastle. His role next season will be rotating with Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez among the front three.