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Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is now fully ready to play 90 minutes after returning from injury, and Arne Slot has outlined his plan for the Portugal striker, who has picked up several knocks during his time at Anfield.
“All of them have 80 per cent the same program, 20 per cent is individual, so a special program is not only for him,” Slot explained during his press conference ahead of facing Nottingham Forest. “He’s someone I like to have in my squad; I like to have him available.
“You saw us build him up. Now he’s ready to play 90. It’s nice to have him available, so hopefully it stays like this. He’s a hard worker and tries to become a better player every single day. He’s a player who is good in both parts (attacking and defending).
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“He’s a threat when attacking, and he works really hard. Jota is an experienced player, which is one reason why he wore the armband [against Accrington]. I think he served the club the longest of the players on the pitch. Let’s hope he stays fit.”
Jota has scored seven goals in 18 games in all competitions this season, including netting against Accrington in the FA Cup. That match over the weekend was only his second start for Liverpool since going off injured against Chelsea in mid-October.
Liverpool.com says: Jota is a brilliant player at full tilt but he tends to pick up injuries and then takes a bit of time to come back from them. If he could remain fit and firing for the rest of the season, that would make a big difference to Liverpool’s push for trophies on all fronts, with the games coming thick and fast.