“Pressing monster” – Pep Lijnders praises notable quality of new signing | OneFootball

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has labeled new signing Diogo Jota as a “pressing monster” and backed him to fit in instantly within the squad.

Lijnders says that Jota has a huge future ahead of him and claims that he is as technically gifted as Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane following his move to the club from Wolves.

Speaking ahead of the club’s League Cup clash with Luton, as transcribed by GOAL, Lijnders commented on the arrival of Jota. “What can I say? His technical level is on the same as our front three. He has so much future in the game and he will have a great pathway inside our club. He’s like a pressing monster, so he will fit in straight away!

“I knew him from when he was very young, because he’s from the city of Porto. We played against each other when he was very young, then he came through at Pacos de Ferreira.

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“In Portugal, they all say what a great signing Liverpool made, because they know exactly how he is and what kind of potential he still has.”

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Lijnders calling Jota a pressing monster is a great sign that he could be an excellent signing for Liverpool. If Jota can come into the team and press high and win the ball back for the Reds in the final third like the current front three then he could fit like a glove. Liverpool’s front three like to press the opposition in their own half and win the ball back in dangerous areas in order to create attacks.

Of course, Jota also needs to show that he can capitalise on those opportunities after winning back possession. His stats for Wolves last season suggest that he will be able to, given that he scored 16 goals in all competitions for the Premier League side.

If he can couple intense pressing with an efficient end product in front of goal then Jota could be a top quality addition to Liverpool’s forward options. It is now down to the Portuguese international to show what he can do on the pitch and live up to Lijnder’s high praise.