Sparking an X-rated outburst from one of England's greatest-ever forwards would not have been on Diogo Jota's list of New Year resolutions.
But barely 24 hours into 2024, the Liverpool attacker had prompted filth and fury from former Newcastle United man Alan Shearer on social media after winning the penalty scored by Mohamed Salah that sealed a thrilling 4-2 Premier League triumph against the Magpies at Anfield.
No matter that, after the game, Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka admitted there was contact with Jota and it was a penalty. Nor that there seemed no reason otherwise for the Portuguese to hit the deck when an empty goal was gaping.
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Debate instead rumbled for days with Jota being vilified for diving by a certain section of the game. The forward, though, merely shrugs his shoulders when asked about the somewhat curious outrage.
"Listen, of course I saw some comments from ex-players and people who are paid to talk about situations," says Jota. "The only thing I can say is even the keeper said it was a touch and I didn't feel the conditions to stay up. So that's it.
"Would I rather put the ball in the net than see Mo take a penalty? Yes, of course. That's what I like to do - to score goals. That's all I have to say."
Certainly, Jota has rediscovered his goalscoring touch having gone more than a year - admittedly, largely due to two length injury absences - without scoring before netting a brace at Leeds United last April. Since ending that barren run, only Mohamed Salah has bagged more for Liverpool than the 16 Jota has managed.
All the more
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