Jota, Liverpool’s forward, has expressed his belief that new head coach Arne Slot’s desire to utilize him more centrally aligns with his strengths. During his four seasons under Jurgen Klopp, Jota mainly played as the left-sided attacker but still managed to contribute with a significant number of goals. In three out of four campaigns, he scored 13 or more goals. The only season he registered seven goals was in 2022/23 when he was sidelined for four months due to a calf injury.
Jota began his goal-scoring account for the season with a goal in the recent win against Ipswich, where he started as the center-forward due to Darwin Nunez’s lack of pre-season minutes following his involvement in the Copa America. Jota acknowledged the difference in Slot’s approach compared to Klopp, stating, “I think here [Slot] wants our wingers a lot more in one-v-ones, and I think we have better options than myself. If I stay in the middle and wait for those chances to come in and score them, I think that is what I do the best, so you can take that into the season.”
However, what will truly have a significant impact on Jota and Liverpool is his ability to stay fit. Throughout his time at Anfield, he has been plagued by injuries. In his debut season, he was sidelined for three months with a knee injury. Over the past two years, he has been absent for 43 percent of matches due to various injuries. Last season, he had already scored 14 goals by mid-February before another injury forced him to miss three of the final five months.
Fortunately, Portugal’s early exit from Euro 2024 allowed Jota to have a longer pre-season compared to some of his teammates. This extended preparation period has provided him with the opportunity to impress Slot, who had a fully fit squad to choose from at Portman Road.
The match against Ipswich proved to be a challenge in the first half, considering they were a newly-promoted team. However, Liverpool improved in the second half and secured a comfortable victory. Jota mentioned that the team is still adapting to Slot’s preferred style of play, but they managed to end the game with a clean sheet and three points. He emphasized the importance of building upon these wins, as it makes the process easier.
Overall, Jota’s shift to a more central role under Slot presents an opportunity for him to showcase his goal-scoring abilities. However, his ability to stay injury-free will be crucial for both his personal success and Liverpool’s performance. As the team continues to adjust to Slot’s tactics, securing victories and building upon them will be key in their pursuit of success.