Diogo Jota: We have nine finals to play in the league
Diogo Jota says Liverpool have ‘nine finals’ remaining in the Premier League this season after closing to within one point of Manchester City.
Jota scored his seventh goal in seven games across all competitions against Arsenal in a vital 2-0 victory over the Gunners at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
His strike helped the Reds secure an important three points from a tight affair in north London, leaving Jürgen Klopp’s side hot on the heels of leaders City.
It was a ninth successive win in top-flight action for Liverpool, with Jota’s replacement Roberto Firmino providing the second goal of the evening in the capital.
Post-match, the No.20 reflected on a job well done against the Gunners, the ongoing title race and the defensive foundations being laid by the Reds. Read on for Jota’s full interview with Liverpoolfc.com…
On whether he knew he was about to come off before he scored…
Well, to be honest, I saw Mo and Bobby on the sidelines. I didn’t know if it was me [who would be coming off] but I could expect something like that to happen. But if you want to finish the game there’s nothing better than to score a goal.
On his vital goal and the assist from Thiago Alcantara…
You know when you have players like Thiago in the midfield, if you are in the right space you know he can see you and put the ball there. It was the first time I really had space in the game in their defensive line and I took advantage of it, and it was massive for us at this moment.
On always being ready for an important pass in a tight game…
Yes, especially [in the] Premier League. When teams are really on it like they were in the first half, reducing all the space with two or three players around, you need to be patient and wait for the moment they will give you an extra yard of space. I was lucky enough to find the back of the net with the first chance that I had.
On being part of Liverpool’s group of forwards…
It’s massive and it allows us to rotate a little bit more and have that extra energy that we need, because we play [every] three days. We are in all competitions, we have a lot of games and everybody will be important. So, it’s exciting days.
On the Reds’ defensive solidity during the nine-game winning league run…
Yes, and another clean sheet today. It’s not easy to come here [to Arsenal] and have a clean sheet. Everyone worked hard for that, not just the defensive line but credit for them and for Ali again, who made a couple of important saves. We are together as a group, we have now one more game before the [international] break and then we are back with everything.
On whether the squad would have taken being a point behind Man City in January…
Yes, I think so, back then the gap was much bigger, so we reduced that. It’s up to us now. Nine games, nine finals, I believe we can do it.
On the excitement of having important games every week…
It’s very exciting, we are on all fronts. I think we can win those titles. We are together as a unit, as a group, we have pretty much everyone available so we can fight for it.