Trent Alexander-Arnold stuck out his chest and proved his worth to help Liverpool get back on track in the Premier League title race on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side secured a 3-1 win at Fulham to move above Manchester City in the Premier League table – but they have a game in hand – and level on points with leaders Arsenal.
This win was needed and a reaction was non-negotiable after Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace last week that put the trophy in Manchester City’s court.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been here before with his boyhood club, so he understands how to deal with the pressure.
Right now, more than ever before, that calmness, experience and cool nature is required in front of goal.
That has been Liverpool’s big issue and that’s why fans will be glad that Diogo Jota is starting games again after injury issues.
The Portugal international is regarded as his team’s best finisher and he proved that at Craven Cottage when he dispatched his best chance of the game.
Alexander-Arnold has labelled his versatile teammate as ‘outstanding’, as he told Premier League Productions (21/04/24 at 7:00 pm).
And the right-back added that ‘any team would be lucky’ to have a player of Jota’s quality at their disposal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold hails Diogo Jota
“100% (Jota showed us what we have been missing),” agreed Alexander-Arnold.
“Diogo’s an outstanding player. Someone who any team would be lucky to have and we are certainly fortunate to have him.
“Give him those kind of opportunities (goal against Fulham), I think he had one chance all game, held his run I think really well and he was able to finish it. He is an outstanding finisher as well. Any service and any opportunities and he will tuck it into the back of the net. A really good finish.”
Diogo Jota’s finishing
It’s been missed and now Liverpool need to hope he can be as ruthless as ever before.
Even though Mohamed Salah is the main goal-getter and perhaps his team’s best player.
Jota is the most composed player out of the lot and if he was available for those games against Manchester United, then the end result probably would have been different.
But next up is the small matter of the Merseyside derby against Everton.
Whilst Liverpool have missed chance after chance in games like Palace, doing that and losing to Everton would seriously anger the fans.