Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is looking forward to the semi-finals after making his second consecutive substitute appearance in their 2-1 League Cup win over Southampton on Wednesday (December 18).
The 28-year-old is still finding his fitness after suffering a rib injury in Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea earlier in the season.
Darwin Nunez opened the scoring in the 24th minute before Harvey Elliot doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark.
Southampton forward Cameron Archer made it a little tense just after the break but his 59th minute goal was nothing more than a consolation and Liverpool progressed to the semi-finals.
Jota missed 13 games across all competitions for Arne Slot’s side before finally making his long-awaited return in their 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday (December 14), scoring their 86th-minute equaliser.
Liverpool have coped just fine without him for those games, sitting at the top of the Premier League table and the new Champions League league phase.
Diogo Jota working his way back into the Liverpool starting eleven after Southampton win
The Portugal international was Slot’s preferred option up top before the injury, starting nine of his 11 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals, and providing two assists in 664 minutes of action.
Jota took to Instagram after the 2-1 League Cup win over Southampton to celebrate their progress, saying: “Semi finals,” followed by a flexing arm emoji.
Liverpool could go into their Premier League game with Tottenham on Sunday (December 22) in second, with Chelsea set to play Everton in the early kick-off on the same day.
Slot’s side still have a game in hand, however, after their game against Sean Dyche’s side was postponed due to severe weather caused by Storm Darragh.
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