Few players embody Liverpool's modern transfer strategy like Diogo Jota and the attacker is here to stay at Anfield
Few players embody Liverpool's modern transfer strategy like Diogo Jota. Eyebrows were raised and questions were asked when it was announced, abruptly, that the Reds had secured a deal worth a potential £45m with Wolves in September 2020.
To many whose knowledge of the Portuguese forward was gleaned from highlight shows alongside the occasional live televised game, it didn't appear to be an obvious fit .
Liverpool's recruitment, however, has been one step ahead of the curve for some time now. It's why the questioning from the footballing laymen cut little ice outside a department who have proven to be one of the sport's most astute over the last five or six years.
Whenever Wolves were analysed, Klopp was said to be struck by Jota's work rate, versatility and determination; three traits that he has shown in spades since making the move to Anfield.
Tracked for a couple of years prior to his eventual move from Wolverhampton, Pep Lijnders received a glowing set of reports when he spoke to his contacts in Portuguese football and the club's healthy working relationship with Jota's agency, Gestifute, allowed the transaction to be completed with minimal fuss, aware from the glare of the transfer gossip columns.
Initially arriving as high-quality back-up for Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah's, Jota's trajectory now serves as a shining example to those who may find themselves in a similar situation to the one the frontman found himself in a little under two years ago.
An impressive first campaign saw the former Porto and Atletico Madrid attacker end the campaign with 13 goals in total, including important strikes against West Ham, Arsenal and Manchester United. A Champions League hat-trick in a group game at Atalanta made several sit up and take note too.
A three-month lay-off with a knee injury disrupted progress somewhat, but Jota's sophomore season was even better as he played an integral role for a club that went all the way to a 63-game campaign that included a domestic cup double.
Having established himself a valuable member of the Portugal squad during his time at Anfield, Jota registered a further 21 goals for the Reds as he usurped Roberto Firmino as Klopp's first-choice leader of the line.