Roberto Firmino’s place as a regular in Liverpool’s starting line-up is under huge threat following Diogo Jota’s stunning exploits in the Reds’ 5-0 win at Atalanta in the Champions League.
The Portuguese forward more than justified Jurgen Klopp’s decision to start him ahead of fan favourite Firmino as he netted a hat-trick in Bergamo.
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Jota got things rolling for the six-time winners as he latched onto Trent Alexander-Arnold’s through ball before riding a challenge from Jose Luis Palomino and dinking the ball over Marco Sportiello.
It was the £45million signing who doubled Liverpool’s the lead as he expertly controlled a long Joe Gomez ball with his left foot before beating Sportiello at the near post as he smashed it home with his right.
talkSPORT’s Stuart Pearce labelled Jota, who moved to Anfield from Wolves in the last transfer window as the ‘signing of the season’, but the 23-year-old wasn’t done there as he completed his hat-trick, latching onto Sadio Mane’s through ball before rounding the keeper and passing it into the net.
Before that, the ruthless Reds put the clash beyond any doubt with Salah scoring just after the restart, curling the ball in seconds after Curtis Jones hoofed the ball away following an Atalanta corner.
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Getty Images - Getty
Salah turned provider moments later as he played a through ball to Mane, who expertly clipped the ball over the helpless Sportiello.
It could have been more for Liverpool with Jota, Mane and Salah all going close during the match.
As for the hosts they came close a few times to scoring but their expansive style – which admittedly served them well in their journey to last season’s Champions League quarter-finals – ultimately played into Liverpool’s hands.
Atalanta could have got on the scoresheet with Colombia international Luis Muriel testing Alisson Becker twice in the first half.
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Meanwhile, Christian Zapata came to life during the second half, hitting the post while also forcing Alisson into making a smart save.
Klopp was also booked late in the game for his protests against Liverpool not being given a penalty after Jones was shoulder barged in the box.
But this night was all about Jota, who’s fast becoming a player who should bring more joy to this already successful Liverpool side.
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