Diogo Jota needed a big performance for Liverpool. Against Everton, he delivered it

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It had been a long time since Diogo Jota’s name boomed around Anfield like this.

The Portugal international has endured another stop-start season. Fitness and form have prevented him from truly establishing himself as Arne Slot’s regular No 9.

His growing sense of frustration was clear during a 10-game drought prior to the international break when his confidence took a battering. However, he picked the perfect night to rediscover his touch as he settled the 246th Merseyside derby.

It was classic Jota as he dispossessed James Garner just outside Everton’s penalty area and then collected a flick from Luis Diaz. Alert to the space that could be exploited, he darted away from Idrissa Gana Gueye and James Tarkowski before hammering low past Jordan Pickford.

The outpouring of emotion both on the field and in the stands showed what it meant. There was joy and relief in abundance as Jota jabbed a finger towards the badge on his shirt before a jubilant Curtis Jones jumped on his back.

In returning to winning ways after the body blows of being dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain and losing the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle United, Liverpool restored their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League and Jota celebrated his first goal since he salvaged a draw away to Nottingham Forest in January.

Diogo Jota celebrates his winning goal against Everton (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

“Very pleased,” Slot said. “Everton were nine games in a row unbeaten, hardly ever concede a goal, hardly ever concede a chance, defend with 10 players apart from Beto in and around their 18-yard box.

“Diogo was close to it already in the first half. It was not a surprise they blocked that shot because they are defensively an incredibly strong team.

“For the goal in the second half, he found just a bit of space and scored, which was nice for him but nice for us too. And by us, I mean his team-mates, the staff and the fans.”

It was Jota’s ninth of the season in all competitions and his first in the Premier League at Anfield since his late equaliser at home to Fulham in mid-December.

He is averaging a goal every 173 minutes of action in 2024-25 compared to one every 114 minutes when he netted 15 in all competitions in 2023-24. This was only his 10th league start of another campaign hampered by injuries.

“I always believe in myself,” Jota told Sky Sports. “I always believe that the chances will come and I need to be there to take them. Hopefully this game starts a good run for me that could be helpful for the team. The three points was really the most important thing. Hopefully that gives us momentum for the rest of the season.”

David Moyes, who is now winless in 22 visits to Anfield as a manager (seven draws, 15 defeats), insisted that the goal should have been disallowed for offside against Diaz earlier in the move. But with the Colombian attacker making no attempt to play the ball before Tarkowski intercepted it, VAR Paul Tierney did not intervene.

How Tarkowski was still on the field at that point in proceedings will remain a mystery after Tierney somehow failed to send referee Sam Barrott to the monitor after the Everton captain escaped with a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister early on.

James Tarkowski was not sent off for this lunge at Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Even people that are not liking Liverpool a lot were all so clear and obvious what that decision should have been,” Slot added. “There’s no need for me to comment on that. Was I surprised? No.”

Jota’s contribution ensured that officiating error was ultimately relegated to a footnote. His only previous goal against Everton in five seasons at Liverpool saw him complete a 4-1 rout at Goodison in December 2021. Now he has added his name to the list of derby heroes.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker repaid the faith shown in him by Slot, who could have relegated him to bench duty given the paucity of the performances he served up against PSG and Newcastle.

Finally, someone stepped up to ease the burden on Mohamed Salah. After scoring in eight consecutive games in January and February, the Egyptian has only netted twice in the last six matches and they were both penalties against bottom club Southampton. He struggled to make an impact in the derby.

The rumour mill went into overdrive on Wednesday after a photograph emerged on social media of Salah with a camera crew at the city’s Albert Dock. However, it was completely unrelated to his contract situation. It was taken on Monday when Salah attended a player appearance for one of the club’s commercial partners. Discussions over an extension are ongoing with the hope that a suitable compromise can be reached.

Mo Salah filming down at the docks with all of his Liverpool gear on… 👀 pic.twitter.com/LvrUmiZLsn

— Ste (@LFC92) April 2, 2025

Liverpool don’t want to have to recruit a new right winger this summer but buying another striker increasingly looks like a necessity.

When Jota buzzes around with such intent and finishes with such aplomb, it’s a reminder that he’s the most complete No 9 Liverpool currently possess. He’s certainly more suited to Slot’s brand of football than Darwin Nunez. There’s also no doubt that Luis Diaz is more effective out wide than through the middle.

But it’s Jota’s lack of availability which means you can’t count on him to stay fit and deliver. Aged 28 and with two years remaining on his contract, he’s only clocked up 20 or more starts in a season once in his Anfield career.

Much depends on what offers are forthcoming but the most likely outcome currently is that Nunez departs this summer and Liverpool bring someone in to provide greater competition alongside Jota.

Liverpool need a maximum of 13 points from their remaining eight games to be crowned champions. It wasn’t a show of force against Everton, and the contest won’t live long in the memory, but Slot got what he wanted in terms of work ethic, physicality and resilience. They refused to be bullied as the hosts won 50 per cent of duels. They gave as good as they got.

After the late controversy at Goodison in February, victory was extra sweet. This was Liverpool’s 100th win over Everton in all competitions and it nudges them closer to title glory.

The run-in should be helped by a sizeable weight being lifted from Jota’s shoulders.

(Top photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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