Diogo Jota has praised the squad for their response to the adversity they faced during their 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth. The Reds were forced to play the final half-an-hour with 10 men after Alexis Mac Allister’s red card for a high challenge on Ryan Christie. At the time, Liverpool were leading 2-1 and shortly after Jurgen Klopp’s men were handed a numerical disadvantage, Jota netted a third. It was a nightmare start after Antoine Semenyo put the Cherries in front after three minutes. Liverpool were handed a warning sign when Jaidon Anthony pounced on a defensive mistake, but the Reds blushes were spared by the assistant referee’s flag. Jota noted the contrasting starts from the previous week after Liverpool raced into a 1-0 lead at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, but despite the slow start, the Portugal international praised the response.
Diogo Jota said: “I think the opposite of the first game week, we started well then lost control, this one was the opposite, we didn’t start well and had to turn it around, happy for the reaction. Let’s try mix it together for the whole 90 minutes. Being down to 10 men, everyone reacted well to help each other even though we’re still not at our best physically but it’s a great effort from everyone but happy to get three points. We are joking on the bench that we were playing better with 10 than we were 11. Everyone felt the moment to stand out, to be able to help each other, that’s what we did and in the end we got the three points and it was deserved.”
Mac Allister is set to miss the next three games for Liverpool after Thomas Bramall gave him his marching orders, shortly before the hour mark.Jota was complimentary of the Reds trio and has tipped the midfield newcomers to get better.
Diogo Jota continued: “Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] playing a bit deeper and helping us build, Dom [Dominik Szoboszlai] you can see is running for the entire game and isn’t tired. Especially [Wataru] Endo, in hard circumstances, done well. The longer we play together we will get better and develop through the season.”
The starting front three of Diaz, Jota and Salah were all on target and the Portugal international believes the strike options can make an impact this season.
Diogo Jota said: “We know each other for a while, we have people on the bench that can make a difference, on the pitch we give absolutely everything. We have the quality to make an impact, everyone showed up today but throughout the season, we need everyone, lets stick together.”
