Liverpool FC to benefit greatly from the return of their ‘game breaker’ a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp

After Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Anfield in the Premier League, Ian Doyle provided a talking point

If his performance at Elland Road was an important clue, here came the final confirmation.
Diogo Jota is finally back in his usual groove for Liverpool.

After ending a goal drought that had lasted more than a year with his brace at Leeds United on Monday, the Portuguese found the net again twice to inspire Jurgen Klopp’s side to an unnecessarily nervy three-pointer against Nottingham Forest plagued by relegation.

This time though, Jota’s trademark is back, the striker finally reigniting his reputation as a Reds ‘killer’ by setting them off with the opening goal.

It’s a quality he became known for during his early years at Anfield, especially last season when he finished first in 14 games. No other Reds player could match him.

Given Liverpool’s tendency to concede first during the long periods of Jota’s barren run, the absence of his usual contribution – partly due to lack of form, mainly due to failing first with a hamstring and then for a calf injury – it became quite noticeable.

But, buoyed by Monday’s events, the most welcome feature of him was a timely return for Liverpool as he struggled to break through a stubborn Forest rear.

With 86% possession in the first half – in this respect there can rarely have been such a one-sided opening at Anfield – the Reds struggled to convert that into plenty of meaningful chances, most notably Jota missing with a straight shot free. wide header on the other post a few meters away.

But it was a sign of the player’s growing confidence that he shrugged off that aberration with a quick double-up shortly after the break. The first, after 47 minutes, was a real poacher’s shot, the quickest reacting to Fabinho’s header and nodding hard after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner kick caused confusion.

His seconds eight minutes later, however, were those of a confident player when, strangely unnoticed by the Forest defense from Andy Robertson’s free-kick, he controlled the ball with his chest, once again touching it with his thigh. he flew to the far corner.

Jota like so many forwards, has always been a serial scorer. And with seven games to go this season, he still has an opportunity to make up for lost time.

However, Liverpool will simply be happy that “the slotter” is back. He’s been missing.

Also.. 

Liverpool Legend Steven Gerrard’s son was mascot at Anfield – and scored in front of the Kop!

A dream came true for Steven Gerrard’s son Lio on Saturday as he left Anfield alongside his hero Mohamed Salah.

“My Lio, he’s obsessed,” Gerrard told Salah when they reunited for LFCTV earlier this year.

“He loves you more than me, you’re the only person he loves more than me!” I’m second.”

The day, week, month and year were set for Lio Gerrard when he retired as mascot in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

The young Gerrard imitated his father and came out with his hands on his hips before holding salahs as they walked onto the pitch ahead of kick-off.

He then joined Gerrard in the stands for a lackluster first half before returning to the center circle as the pair met two fans for a half-time game. Lio had the opportunity to take a penalty in front of the Kop – and of course to score to thunderous applause.

It’s not Lio Gerrard’s first time playing at Anfield, of course – he recently joined his father in the LFC Legends charity games.

But coming out of the tunnel next to Salah might have been even better.

In February, Gerrard unveiled the latest addition to his son’s bedroom when local artist MurWalls painted a replica of the Liverpool dressing room to complement his mural of Salah, Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

After Gerrard was relieved of his duties at Aston Villa in October – and in no rush to take on his next manager’s job – he and his son have had a lot more time to watch Liverpool. And with seven games to play this season, Lio even has a chance to overtake his father as the club’s fifth-highest goalscorer in history.