Liverpool are set for a “changing of the guard” with Diogo Jota poised to usurp Roberto Firmino according to former Red Stephen Warnock.
Jota moved to Anfield in the summer and hit the ground running before an injury disrupted his season.
Prior to him being sidelined there were increasing calls for him to start ahead of Firmino such was his goal record.
The Brazilian retained the faith of his manager, but the Liverpool forward line has come in for criticism this term.
Firmino is now absent and Jota started in the Champions League win over RB Leipzig.
Warnock believes the Portuguese star is set become part of Liverpool’s new look attack – and would have already had injury not played a role.
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He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Diogo Jota brings a penetration to Liverpool – it allows them to run at defences because Roberto Firmino likes to pick the ball up in deeper positions and that hasn’t quite worked for him this season.
“Jota has the ability to press, and win the ball back straight away when he loses it – his energy levels are quite incredible.
“I think we will see the changing of the guard in that front three. I think it probably would have happened if Jota didn’t get injured.
“He has been brought in for that reason but also for rotation to keep them all fit and all in peak condition.”
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Jota has scored nine times this season – three more than Firmino despite playing considerably fewer games.
The former Wolves man has returned at a time when Liverpool are struggling for form and potency.
He featured in the 1-0 defeat against Fulham at Anfield at the weekend.
It means the Reds have lost six on the bounce at home in the league and failed to score from open play in that time.
However their win against Leipzig in Europe was a step in the right direction as Klopp looks to salvage a difficult season.
