Diogo Jota knew right thing to do after emotional goal for Liverpool
The ball had barely ruffled the back of the Nottingham Forest net when Diogo Jota recognised exactly the right thing to do.
Rather than celebrate opening the scoring in front of a jubilant Kop, Jota turned on his heels and trotted towards the dugout where substitute goalkeeper Adrian was waiting to pass on a jersey.
The Liverpool striker then thrust a Luis Diaz number seven shirt into the air to huge cheers from the Anfield crowd before being surrounded by team-mates.
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It was a touching gesture of support for the Colombian, who was understandably absent given the ongoing situation regards the kidnapping of his parents in his homeland.
The togetherness of the Liverpool squad meant there was always going to be recognition of the plight of their colleague, a classy act an appreciative Diaz later acknowledged on social media.
And that Jota had opened the scoring – further regaining his reputation as Liverpool’s game-breaker after scoring the first against Toulouse on Thursday – meant the Reds would almost certainly mark an emotional afternoon with a victory.
Jota is Liverpool’s lucky charm, this the 38th different game in which he has netted for Jurgen Klopp’s side. None have been lost, with 32 being won. The Portuguese still has some way to go before matching Ian Rush’s remarkable such record, but it underlines his at times over-looked value to this team.
Not as exciting as Darwin Nunez, prolific as Mohamed Salah, tricky as Diaz or elegant as Cody Gakpo, Jota has forged his own way with versatility and selfless hard work – and, most importantly, an ability to sniff out an opportunity, such as
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