DIOGO JOTA has proved to be worth every penny already for Liverpool this season.
The Portuguese star is just one of the many success stories to be brought to the club by transfer guru Michael Edwards.
Only Mohamed Salah has scored more goals for Liverpool than Diogo Jota this seasonCredit: Rex Features
Jota joined the Premier League champions in a £45million move from Wolves in September.
And he showed why he deserves a spot in the starting line-up during the 5-0 win over Atalanta.
Jota bagged a hat-trick after he was given the nod ahead of Roberto Firmino.
The 23-year-old now boasts an incredible record of seven goals in 10 games for the Reds.
Only Mohamed Salah has got more goals than him for Liverpool this season.
And yet again, Liverpool fans have their hidden hero to thank for the incredible signing.
Edwards is the Anfield club’s sporting director – but he likes to keep himself out of the limelight.
His public appearances are almost as rare as his mistakes in the transfer window.
Michael Edwards prefers to keep himself out of the spotlightCredit: PA:Press Association
In his younger years, he played for Peterborough United before he tried his luck at teaching.
After a brief spell at Portsmouth as an analyst, he followed Harry Redknapp to Tottenham.
And now Liverpool have got him on their side.
Since 2016 when he became a sporting director, Edwards has had a huge influence on the club’s transfer business.
Following his arrival, Liverpool have seen some huge names enter through the Anfield gates.
Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Jota and Thiago – just to name a few.
Andrew Robertson joined Liverpool from Hull in 2017Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
But let’s not forget, Edwards is only human. And everybody makes mistakes from time to time.
Notorious flop goalkeeper Lorius Karius arrived at the club from Mainz 05 in 2016.
He is arguably the worst signing of Edwards’ reign, but there are plenty of players that are still prove themselves.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Takumi Minamino and Konstantinos Tsimikas have been restricted due to either injury issues or a lack of game time.
The jury remain undecided on whether these deserve a spot on Edwards’ CV.
Diogo Jota stakes claim for regular starting spot after hat-trick for Liverpool
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
