DIOGO JOTA scored an incredible hat-trick against Atalanta to overtake Roberto Firmino in goals scored for Liverpool since the start of 2020.
The Portuguese attacker, 23, scored two wonderful goals in the first-half as the Reds stormed into the lead against the Italian high-flyers, before completing his treble shortly after the break.
Just 16 minutes into the game in Italy, Jota – starting in place of Firmino – showed great strength to hold off his defender following an exquisite through-ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He then deftly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, with the ball nestling in the back of the net.
Just after the half-hour mark, Jota showed exceptional skill to flick the ball away from his defender with his first touch and rifle the ball into the back of the net to stun the Serie A side.
And he made it a hat-trick just ten minutes into the second-half, cooly slotting home a one-on-one chance following a sublime Sadio Mane pass.
Jota’s treble takes his Liverpool tally to SEVEN goals in just five starts.
The 23-year-old said: “I’m playing in the best team in my career.
“Scoring goals, it’s my way of playing football.”
That means the new-boy has overtaken regular starter Firmino’s tally of FIVE since the start of 2020, in 34 games.
Jota scored his first of the game with a deft chip to give Liverpool the leadCredit: AFP or licensors
Jota scored a ridiculous second to double the visitors’ leadCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Brazilian has scored just once this season and his role as the foil for Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah is under threat.
Jota added: “They are two world class players, we all know that quality, and it makes it easier for me to do my job because they are outstanding players.
“We played a great game together.
“It doesn’t happen so often to score five in one game. So I think that’s good, the clean sheet as well.
“If we can keep a clean sheet against City, I’m pretty sure we will win the game.”
The forward has played nine times for his new club after joining from Wolves for £45million in the summer, making his debut in the 7-2 win over Lincoln City.
Jota scored on his Premier League debut with a superb instinctive strike in the 3-1 win over Arsenal.
And he has now scored in his last FOUR games, having netted against Sheffield United, Midtjylland and West Ham prior to his Atalanta rout.
Jota made it a hat-trick after rounding the keeper and poking home into an empty netCredit: Reuters
Firmino came off the bench to replace hat-trick hero Jota in AtalantaCredit: Reuters
Before Jota’s hat-trick strike, Liverpool had added a third and fourth goal in quick succession after the interval.
Salah and Mane both got their name on the score-sheet to ensure all three of the Reds forwards went home happy.
Jota was taken off – replaced by Firmino – after 65 minutes as Jurgen Klopp rang the changes to rest his stars for Sunday’s huge game with Manchester City.
Jordan Henderson and Andrew Roberton were also taken off in a triple-change – with Naby Keita and James Milner replacing them.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
