Davis: Arne Slot Must Prioritise the Fitness of This Liverpool Star | OneFootball

Maximising Diogo Jota’s Fitness Under Arne Slot’s Regime

It would be nice to see that number twenty back again soon. With Arne Slot set to step into the managerial spotlight at Liverpool, his strategies will be crucial in defining the team’s future success. A critical element in this new chapter should be ensuring the peak fitness of Diogo Jota, whose influence on the pitch is undeniable yet hampered by recurring injuries. Focusing on his unique training needs could be the key to unlocking consistent performances. Even if he needs a specialist training schedule, just get Jota on the pitch as much as possible.

Jota’s Impact and the Necessity of Availability

Diogo Jota’s stats speak volumes of his prowess. In the latest Premier League season, Jota stands at the top with 1.02 non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes, edging out players like Michael Olise, Erling Haaland, and Richarlison. Such figures place him not just as a top performer at Liverpool but also shine among the elite in European football. This is evidenced by his placement in the 99th percentile for non-penalty goals and the 95th percentile for expected assists among forwards in Europe’s top five leagues.

Photo: IMAGO

This season, Jota has contributed 15 goals and 4 assists across all competitions, aggregating 1,710 minutes of game time. His knack for finding the net and setting up scoring opportunities is matched by few, underlining why Liverpool can ill afford his absence. How many times have we heard or seen 3-1 Jota this season. Boy have we missed him big time since that Brentford game.

Assessing the Injury Challenge

The crux of the problem lies in Jota’s vulnerability to injuries, which have seen him miss significant stretches of play. Since his transfer to Liverpool, Jota’s injury timeline is marked by various setbacks, including knee, calf, and hamstring issues. In the current season alone, he has missed 11 games due to injury. Over his tenure at Liverpool, these absences add up, costing the team not just his direct contributions in goals and assists but also his dynamic presence that stretches defences and creates spaces for teammates.

Strategic Adjustments for Sustained Fitness

For Slot, the task will be to manage Jota’s training regime meticulously. This might involve tailored fitness programs that differ from the rest of the squad, focusing on strengthening his resilience and ensuring gradual recovery post-injuries. Techniques could include a mix of load management, specific muscular training, and perhaps advanced sports science interventions that monitor his workload and readiness in real-time. No one really cares how they do it truth be told. Just get Jota on that pitch as many times as you can next season. If you can do it regularly, who knows what could happen.