Diogo Jota started the new Premier League season firing on all cylinders – as the focal point of Arne Slot’s attack.
But the clinical Portugal international attacker’s momentum was halted in October when he was clattered by Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo at Anfield and he suffered a bruised rib.
Incredibly, Jota would miss 12 matches in all competitions during the disappointing lay-off – 14 including international fixtures – and since he returned to full fitness, the ex-Wolves forward has blown hot and cold.
He was the catalyst that inspired a valiant 10-man fightback against Fulham while he also displayed his ruthless streak in the 5-0 demolition of West Ham in late December when he curled home Mohamed Salah’s inviting pass after coming off the bench.
But still, until tonight, Slot was yet to hand Jota a starting berth as he rebuilds sharpness and with Cody Gakpo now showing real consistency, the former has fallen down Liverpool’s attacking pecking order.
Nobody can deny his quality when he is on song and at the top of his game but Jota’s inability to stay fit has grown tiresome upon some supporters, despite the acknowledgement that he is probably the club’s best natural finisher outside of unstoppable Salah.
And Slot, who holds his players to such high standards, is clearly demanding more from the 28-year-old as Liverpool desperately need to get him back to his best with the matches coming thick and fast.
Jota made a lacklustre start to the Carabao Cup semi-final, his first start since the 2-1 victory over Chelsea almost three months ago, as his touch was off and he was trying to run down blind alleys.
On the right flank, Salah looked as sharp as ever and when Liverpool attempted to engineer one rapid counter-attack, Slot was left furious by Jota’s sloppiness that effectively blew a good chance to open the scoring.
The forward tried playing a first-time pass to rampaging left-back Kostas Tsimikas but the execution was disastrous and the ball flew out of play and behind for a Tottenham goal kick.
Slot was absolutely incensed, shouting and throwing his arms up in the air in frustration as he paraded his technical area before eventually turning around and venting his anger to his Liverpool coaching staff.
It was not the first time Jota had lost possession and given we are so accustomed to associating slick, controlled, counter-attacking football with Liverpool this season, it was plain to see why he was not best pleased.
His outburst evidently struck a chord though as Jota then livened up and began to take care of possession by protecting the ball while also posing more of a threat against Tottenham’s makeshift backline.
It feels as though he is now approaching a bit of a crossroads where his Liverpool career is concerned. His current deal expires in the summer of 2027 and an extension is unlikely to materialise anytime soon.
Darwin Nunez, who replaced Jota on the hour mark, has had to settle for a bit-part role while even Luis Diaz has not had the minutes he would like this season. Then there is Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott, who are determined to force their way back into the picture.
Slot likes and rates Jota but if he wishes to be first-choice, he needs to find it within himself to get back to his best form as at this moment, it’s been an underwhelming campaign by his standards. Liverpool will need him more than ever in the second leg.
