After Liverpool’s 0-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend, more questions surrounding Liverpool forward’s finishing have been raised.
It has been a major issue for Liverpool in the last few weeks, as the Reds aim to win both the Europa League and the Premier League in Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season.
Whilst the Europa League has seemingly slipped through Klopp’s fingers following his side’s 0-3 home loss last Thursday in the quarter-final first leg, the Premier League is still attainable.
Liverpool sit in third place, two points behind first place Manchester City and level on points with Arsenal with six games to go.
Liverpool’s issue as of late has been their finishing in front of goal, which was evident in their recent league game against Manchester United.
In the game against United, Liverpool had a 4.43xG (expected goals) but only scored two, which ultimately cost them the win.
Against Palace, Liverpool failed to score despite having a 3.04xG which caused them to lose the game.
Liverpool have only scored seven goals from their last 108 shots in the league; a conversion rate of 6.48% compared to Manchester City’s conversion rate of 14.13% across their last four games.
Whilst Mohamed Salah has had another fantastic season, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez have both scored less goals that expected in the league (2.76 and 7.29 respectively).
This is a problem Klopp will want to address as the season comes to an end.
Is Diogo Jota the answer?
As the Premier League draws to a close, Liverpool will need a reliable goal scorer if they are to win the league.
Portuguese forward Diogo Jota returned to action last week against Atalanta after a few months out.
Despite being injured, Jota still has an impressive nine goals and three assists in the league this season, scoring or assisting a goal every 90.5 minutes.
Jota also has a very impressive conversion rate, having outscored his xG by 2.58 this season.
Jota provides a different option to Klopp’s team, as he can play from both wings and through the middle.
He is a very versatile forward, who can score different types of goals. Of his 56 premier goals, nine have come by headers, 27 from his right foot and 20 from his left.
The Portuguese forward has been statistically the most clinical forward at the club this season.
Jota’s return is a welcome boost as Klopp looks to leave Liverpool with another Premier League trophy to his name.
(Featured image: Alamy Images under agreed licence)
